Jennie Lou Jantz was born at the beginning of the dust bowl years in Greensburg on March 29, 1930. She was the daughter of Lincoln and Frances (Nichols) Jantz. The oldest of 6 children, she remembers the struggles her father had making a living on poor farmland. Some of Jennie's earliest memories recall worried times when crops failed and the bank threatened foreclosure. After several farming attempts, her father moved the family into the town of Greensburg where he found a steady job as a mechanic. Jennie attended public school there until into the ninth grade when the family moved back into the country to try farming again. During her teen years, Jennie found work as a housemaid and babysitter for neighbors.

Mother gave her heart to God in her early youth and was baptized on December 10, 1944 by Minister Harvey Yost into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. She remained faithful to her vows until death.

When Jennie was almost 20 years of age, she married our father, Calvin Unruh. Calvin was also of the Greensburg congregation and they had known each other since childhood. Their marriage was officiated by Jennie's father, Minister Lincoln Jantz, on March 19, 1950. They started farming and Jennie set about establishing a home at an old farmstead southwest of Greensburg. Jennie fondly remembers the day the electric company turned on the power to their newly remodeled home and they had lights and an electric stove to cook on.

Three children were born to them; David in 1952, Stanley in 1954, and Jolene in 1959. Times were difficult in those early years of family life and Calvin spent long hours farming, raising hogs and cattle, and working at the lumber yard in Greensburg. Mother made sure we were well fed and cared for, and we remember her reading stories to us on long winter evenings. She provided the type of care, love, and support that turns a house into a home and we have many fond memories of that period. Every summer Mom would graciously host our friends for several days of playtime. She also enjoyed hosting friends and family and we remember many visitors in our home during those years.

A move was made in 1969 to another farmstead 3 miles closer to town and the church, and in 1975 another move was made to a farm 3 miles closer to Greensburg. In 2007, the famous Greensburg tornado just missed this farmstead, but it destroyed a house in town our parents planned to move into for retirement. In 2009, our parents rented an apartment in Greensburg. Several years later, Mother began to have mobility problems and found household chores very difficult to perform. Calvin took over the household chores and lovingly cared for her until 2019 when they both moved into a full care room at Bethel Home in Montezuma.

In her golden years at Bethel Home, Mother wore the same cloak of graciousness that she has always been known for. The nurses and employees loved her very much and many have mentioned that she was never one to complain. She was very accepting of whatever difficulties life threw at her. Mother always had a servant's heart and was a giver of hospitality. She was always quick to help others and host people who needed a place to stay or a meal and friendly conversation. Mother loved birds and flowers and she could view them outside her Bethel Home window. The doves on the front of this folder are a photograph of a pair she loved to watch. We like to think of them as a reminder of our parents' love story of 72 years. Mother loved to laugh and it was easy to get a cheerful, contagious chuckle out of her. Children and grandchildren remember her as being bright, kind, filled with love, selfless, and slow to anger. She was seldom upset with anyone and was free of personal conflict with others.

Jennie's survivors include her husband, Calvin, of Bethel Home; daughter, Jolene Unruh and husband Jerrold of Potwin, Kansas; son, Stanley Unruh and wife Cathlyn of Ozawkie Kansas; daughter-in-law, Elaine Unruh of Greensburg, Kansas; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Surviving siblings are Marian Litwiller and husband Verle of Barron, Wisconsin, Gary Jantz and wife Darlene of Greeley, Colorado, and Glenda Rhodes and husband Mark of Windsor, Colorado, brother-in-law, Isaac Unruh of Montezuma; and sister-in-law, Karen Jantz of Fredonia. Preceding her in death were her son, David Unruh; sister, Delores Unruh; and brother, Marlin Jantz.

We are so thankful that she remained of sound mind and continued to be the same cheerful person we have always known until her final short illness. She passed on October 24, 2022. Though we are saddened by her passing, we know that she was tired and ready to go home to meet her Lord. We will miss her dearly and although she is gone from this earth, her memory and spirit will remain in our minds and hearts.

Funeral service will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church, Greensburg on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Mark Dirks, Rod Nace, and Charles Schmidt presiding.  Burial will follow at Bethel Memorial Gardens, Greensburg.  Visitation will be at Bethel Mennonite Church on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.