Sharlene Fay Unruh (Koehn)

Sharlene Fay Koehn Unruh was born on September, 18, 1948, to Franklin and Roberda Koehn in Garden City, Kansas. She passed away at Montrose Memorial Hospital in Montrose, Colorado, on February 26, 2023, from complications of multiple myeloma.

Mom grew up in Galva, Kansas, where she received her education. She was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Minister Abe D. Koehn on February 1, 1961. Bookkeeping at the Galva Feed Mill for her father occupied her during her teenage years. Later she worked as a secretary at the Galva Elevator, often staying late until the numbers were perfectly reconciled.

Mom was married to our Dad, Harold Unruh, on May 26, 1972, by Minister Herman Nightingale. They shared life together for just over fifty years. To this union were born three sons.

In 1973, Dad and Mom, along with some of Mom’s family, moved to West Point, Mississippi.

During this time, Jared was welcomed into their home. Two years later in 1975, a land leveling opportunity drew them to El Campo, Texas, where they spent the following eighteen years. Here Justin and Cody joined the family. Our parents relocated to Montrose, Colorado, in January of 1994, where they lived until Mom’s passing.

During our growing up years, Mom devoted herself to caring for us, and we knew that she loved us and sent many prayers upward on our behalf. A peaceable and quiet person, she found contentment in the daily tasks of homemaking. She taught Bible School and served many years on the Sewing Committee, especially enjoying the part of laying out blocks for comforters. Delighting in scrapbooking, she spent countless hours with this hobby, often giving away her handiwork. Mom expressed her love to us with cards for every occasion and simple gifts. Keeping a daily journal was important to her. A favorite pastime was setting puzzles, and many good memories were made as we joined in.

Babysitting the grandchildren was a huge part of Mom’s life, and she was always ready to sit down with them to read a book or play a game. In later years, she held several different jobs outside of the home, creating many lasting friendships. After her father’s passing in 2010, Mom and Dad spent a year in Galva, Kansas, caring for her mother Roberda.

Family was very important to her. Many holidays were spent in central Kansas with Mom’s parents and siblings. Family reunions and trips to visit their children were highlights for her. A treasured trip to the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington state to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary with the whole family was very meaningful to her.

Mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019. It was a challenging journey which she endured patiently until the end. Though she will be greatly missed, we believe our mother had a strong faith in God and is in a better place, free from the pain and cares of this world.

Mom is survived by her husband, Harold Unruh of Montrose, Colorado; three sons: Jared and Carol Unruh, Port Angeles, Washington; Justin and Monica Unruh, El Campo, Texas; Cody and Carmen Unruh, Olathe, Colorado; grandchildren: Landon and Trista, Levi, Tiffany, Todd, Luke, Wilson, Marcus, James, Simon; one sister: Rosa and Marlin Unruh, Galva, Kansas; three brothers: Lyndon and Karen Koehn; Larry and Karen Koehn; James and Renee Koehn, all of Galva, Kansas; one brother-in-law: Lonnie and Bev Unruh, Bowersville, Georgia; three sisters-in-law: Mary and Dennis Bitikofer, Canton, Kansas; Rhonda and Jeff Koehn, El Campo, Texas, Lana and Tim Johnson, Lakin, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law. Crippin Funeral Home, Montrose assisted the family.