Leslie Ray Unruh

August 21, 1926 - October 12, 2018

Leslie “Les” Unruh, age 92, of Bloomfield passed away peacefully on Friday, October 12, 2018, at the Glendive Medical Center. Les was born to Anthony and Anna (Albrecht) Unruh, the fifth of five children, on August 21, 1926, in Freeman, SD. In 1929, the family returned to Montana where his father had homesteaded in 1913. At 5 years of age his mother died of an infection following childbirth. Five years later his father married Frieda Schmidt, and an additional five children were added to the family. He attended a one-room country school (South Valley) and then graduated from Dawson County High School in 1944. On August 26, 1949, Les married Marie Oellerman. Together they enjoyed nearly 62 years of marriage before she passed away in 2011 after a six-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. They were blessed with six children. Nothing gave him more joy and pleasure than spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. While his siblings were called to various fields of ministry, Les followed in his father’s footsteps, devoting his life to farming and ranching, working hard to provide for his family. His sense of humor and faith in God helped him deal with the hardships of life. He was a life-long member of Bethlehem Mennonite Church. Les loved being with people and was comfortable talking to people from all walks of life. He always enjoyed going to auction sales (even on his honeymoon) and collected many antiques through the years. Les had an amazing ability to fix or repair things with whatever was available. He spent countless hours the last five years of his life writing two books—one to record his memories and the second to preserve the history of his family. On November 10, 2017, Les married Arline (Swanson) Pust and enjoyed the 11 months they spent together, despite his declining health. Les was preceded in death by his wife Marie, his parents, his stepmother, infant siblings Anna and William, and his brothers Willard, Verney, and Bob. He is survived by his loving wife Arline of Savage; daughter Susan Unruh of Billings; son Dan (Cindi) Unruh of Bloomfield; daughter Amy (Dale) Bell of Hampton, VA; son Doug (Connie) Unruh of Bloomfield; son Cal (Shauna) Unruh of Glendive; and daughter Caroline (Tom) Nissley of Bloomfield; siblings Helen, Evelyn, Jim, Betty, Phyllis, and Gerald; 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as Arline’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who welcomed him into their family. Visitation will be at the Silha Funeral Home, Glendive, MT, from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 18. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at Bethlehem Mennonite Church, Bloomfield, MT, on October 19, 2018, at 11 a.m. A family graveside service will take place prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to Eastern Montana Bible Camp, KGLE, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.silhafuneralhome.com.