Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1930
DIED
2021
Mary Unruh Obituary
May 11, 1930 - January 27, 2021
Leawood , Kansas - Mary Ann (Smucker) Unruh, age 90 passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021 due to congestive heart failure. She was the third of four children born to J.N. and Mary Smucker on May 11, 1930 in Hartford, Connecticut. She grew up in Newton, KS and Bluffton, OH, later marrying her grade school classmate and love of her life, Arch Unruh in 1956.
Mary was a wonderful wife and loving mom to her four children. Her passion for learning led her to a 40 year career in teaching. Mary taught at Trailwood Elementary School for over 25 years and adored her students. She was a classical music enthusiast and enjoyed playing the violin with her brother, Joe Smucker. Mary's landscape photography, taken on travels throughout Europe with Arch during retirement, became the subject matter for his watercolor paintings. They were a beautiful team.
Mary is survived by her husband, Arch Unruh, her brother Joe Smucker and his wife, Mary Dean Lee; her three sons and daughter along with spouses, Jim and Jana Unruh, Jon Unruh and Emily Frank, Joe Unruh, and Jannele and Marvin Mastin, and grandchildren: Grant, Jillian, Ross, and Faith Unruh, Austin and Nicholas Unruh, and Maya and Milan Mastin. All of these she greatly inspired and loved deeply.
The family is grateful to Andre's Confiserie Suisse, the Bollier family, and long-time employee Cynthia Hyer English for the love and dignity shown to our mom during Tuesday lunches for many years. You are all God's angels.
There will be a private family funeral service held at a later date. Donations on her behalf to the Alzheimer's Association are welcome. To leave a condolence go to www.charterfurerals.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Unruh
Sponsored by Kansas City Star.
2 Entries
Sherry Unruh
February 1, 2021
Dear Unruh family...we are distant cousins. My father-in-law was Earnie Unruh of Newton, Kansas. Far more importantly, Mary was a teacher to both Kenny Unruh and Ricky Unruh, our two sons, at Trailwood. She will forever be our favorite grade school teacher. She caught Ricky´s color blindness when she noticed he wasn´t having success with the colored number line above the blackboard and she pushed Kenny into sixth grade math when he and Spencer Griffin surpassed the fourth-grade math easily. The boys never knew knew Mary was a cousin because we simply didn´t tell them. They both
Adored her so and when I was PTA President at Trailwood, Mary was for me the "T" in PTA. Joe, if I´m not mistaken didn´t you sack groceries at 83rd and Mission? I believe you and I shared that experience at Payless. I, too, spent 43 years in a classroom at the 12th grade level. People often confused me, Sherry Unruh, for Mary Unruh. I always tried to live up to Mary´s reputation. She was a gem and the whole Unruh family (Rod, Sherry, Ricky and Kenny) are proud to have shared her surname. With both
Adoration and sympathy, we mourn your loss and ours!
Sherry Unruh
Bill Chambers
January 31, 2021
My condolences to the Unruh family. I haven't seen either Mary or Arch for many years, but my experiences with both of them from years ago will always be with me.
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Make a Donation
in Mary Unruh's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Mary Unruh
How to support Mary's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Mary Unruh's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
