Montezuma - Donita Unruh  died August 16, 2022  while being cared for at Bethel Home in Montezuma, reaching the age of 86. She was born August 18, 1935 in Montezuma, the daughter of David G. and Lena (Unruh) Unruh.

She attended school in Montezuma, where she graduated from high school.  Donita married Frank D. Unruh in 1958. She worked for several years at Cimarron Insurance Company before finding a career with the Montezuma Public School system. She retired in 2005 after 32 years of service. During that time she trained several new superintendents and was an integral part of keeping the school running smoothly. One reason she worked as long as she did is that she wanted to work in the new office when the new building housing the grade school and administrative offices were built. She loved her work and developed many close and long term friendships with teachers and staff.

During her retirement years in Mesa, Arizona, she made new friends with a group of women who she played Bridge and Dominos with. She loved hosting these game days and enlisted the assistance of Korie, Lindsey, and Evan to ensure there were at least three homemade snacks and every inch of her house had been scrubbed clean. She loved her granddaughters and enjoyed spending time with them while teaching them to cook or handing them a list of household chores accompanied by a big smile and a cheerful statement of "I have a little list of jobs for you." Lindsey and Evan gladly helped her with her phone and computer issues and were repaid many times over with cinnamon rolls.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Setting a date that worked for most and planning a menu that included family favorite recipes gave her immense satisfaction. In her later years, her sister, Gayenelle, or sister-in-law, Linda would host the family gatherings and Mom would be sure to be there to visit with her siblings and try to get caught up on who was having the next grandchild.

She came to know Christ as her savior at a young age and continued to follow His teaching to love one another. She set examples of patience and generosity daily and will be dearly missed.

Donita is survived by daughters, Korie Dale (Randy) and Carmen Sumner (Ronnie) and granddaughters, Lindsey Dale (David Willers) and Evan Sumner. She is also survived by  her brothers, Wayne, Dale (Sharon), Galen (Linda), Gary (Carol) and sister, Gayenelle Friesen (Stan). She also leaves behind her close companion and aunt, Vada Fern Unruh and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Friday, August 19, 2022 from noon to 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 5-7 PM. The casket will remain closed at the church.  Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home or the Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.