ESTHER UNRUH

Obituary

Obituary

Esther Elizabeth Hiebert was born on March 14, 1917 in Hamilton, Montana to George John and Anna E.(Welk) Hiebert. She went home to meet her Savior on April 10, 2010. She was the second child in a family of three children. Esther accepted Christ as her savior and Lord early in life. Her willingness to testify of her faith in Christ exemplified the preciousness of salvation she felt and wanted for others. She would often ask those she came in contact with, “Where is Christ in your life?” Esther went through the public school system in Chico, CA and graduated from Chico State with a teaching credential. Her first teaching job was in Lost Hills, CA. She lived with EJ and Elizabeth Peters in Shafter and commuted to Lost Hills in her straight eight Pontiac. Esther married John Waldo Unruh on June 22, 1941 in Shafter. They had four sons, Jerry Waldo, Richard Wayne, Paul Wesley, and Timothy Warren. She continued to teach in the Richland school system. She retired from teaching in 1979 after almost 30 years. She never stopped loving to teach children. She was involved with a mentoring reading program at Richland even when she was 86 years old. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, John Waldo; her son, Paul Wesley: her parents, George John and Anna E. Hiebert; her sister, Edna Alma Schaffer. She is survived by her sons, Jerry and wife, Karen of Wichita, KS., Richard and wife, Carol of Meade, KS, Timothy and wife Von of Shafter, CA. , seven grandchildren, Jeff and his wife Shira, Lindy Unruh, Bryce and his wife Liz, Craig and his wife Charla, Kory and his wife Dawn, Stephanie Unruh, Travis Unruh; seven great grandchildren, AJ Unruh, David and Witt Unruh, Jonathan and Kiana Unruh, Alison and Ian Unruh; her brother, Bill, and many nieces and nephews. The last four years of her life was spent at Carrington of Shafter. In this facility she was well taken care of and loved by the staff. Memorials may be sent to the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church Library.
A graveside service was conducted by Peters Funeral Home on Friday, April 16, 2010 at Shafter Memorial Park at 10am followed at 11am by a memorial service at the Mennonite Brethren Church. Pastor Pat Coyle officiated. Visitation was held April 15 from 5 to 7pm at Peters Funeral Home.