Ramsy Unruh

C. Ramsy Unruh

Peacefully on Thursday, September 29, 2011, Ramsy Unruh, loving husband to Shannon and father to Katy, Tom and Jane, passed away just 16 days short of his 50th birthday.

Also left to treasure Ramsy's memory are his mother Katy Unruh of Morden, MB; siblings Phil (Diane) Unruh of Carman, MB; Tim (Jeanette) Unruh of Whistler, BC; Noni (Phil) Goertzen of Langley, BC; Christine (Evan) Jennings of North Vancouver, BC; parents-in-law Myrna Foster and Lloyd and Larraine Ratzlaff of Saskatoon, SK; sister-in-law Sheri (Rob) Porrelli of Saskatoon, SK and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Dr. Cornel Unruh.

Ramsy was born and raised in Morden, MB, but his musical interests led him around North America for training and work. He met Shannon while teaching music in Moose Jaw, SK, and they married in 1992. He became the music pastor at a church in Kelowna, BC that year, and then took the same position at a Winnipeg church in 1998. Through leading worship and working closely with his volunteers, he developed an interest in helping people with the highs and lows of life and accepted a job as senior pastor at Community Fellowship Church in Newton, MB.

Ramsy loved and was loved by children, and he was delighted when each of his kids were born. They enjoyed many adventures with him: bike riding, camping, bowling, driving to the Portage Tim Horton's for donuts early in the morning. When they were small, he used to take them to Revy for Timbits and tell them stories he made up while they ate. He loved Shannon dearly and told and showed her that all the time in hundreds of thoughtful ways.

He was creative, adventurous, brave, sometimes stubborn, both gentle and bold, willing to admit when he was wrong and to learn from his mistakes. He was not perfect, nor did he pretend to be. He loved Jesus passionately, and delighted in his work as a pastor. He was never afraid to cry in public, and his boisterous laugh rang out in many a meeting or social event.

Ramsy endured the trial of his brain tumor with grace and humor, seldom showing self-pity, often thinking of others and concerned about how his illness created work for them. He often expressed wonder over the fact that people were interested in how he was doing or sent gifts or cards.

He died at home in his own bed, with Shannon and his three children around him, for which we are thankful. He will be sorely, deeply missed.

We, his family, are so grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, church family, the extended Oakville community, medical network, and even strangers, that made this difficult journey bearable. Their many kindnesses will not be forgotten.

Viewing and Visitation will take place at Newton Community Fellowship Church from 7:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, October 5, 2011.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at the William Glesby Centre, Portage la Prairie at 1:00 pm.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Ramsy's memory to Mully Children's Family Charitable Foundation (MCFCF), 864 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y 3Z1 or to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Sask.Ave.E, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N OK8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com