We said goodbye to our sister and aunt, Vada Unruh, on June 26, 2026. We love to imagine a happy reunion day with her dad, mom, brothers and nephew. She was tired and so ready for her heavenly home, and we are glad to see her at rest.

Vada was born on July 10, 1952, to Crist and Helen Unruh, and grew up a farm girl – gathering eggs, milking cows, and driving tractors. She loved her 10 years of school life and worked diligently to be an “A” student. Capable and independent, she spent many hours helping raise her younger siblings, especially when our parents were away.

As a teenager, Vada gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Her faith was precious to her, and she embraced it wholeheartedly throughout her life.

Vada enjoyed several jobs before spending four years in Mexico and Guatemala, teaching missionary children. After returning home, she taught school for 15 years in various congregations.

When our brother, Dayton, became ill, Vada returned to support his family and help care for him. Perhaps this experience inspired her to pursue nursing. She completed her Registered Nurse training and worked at the Three Hills Hospital and at Westview Care Community. Combining her teaching and nursing skills, she also trained HCAs on-site at WCC.

Vada loved to travel. She took many road trips with her parents and flew with them to Brazil and Haiti. She enjoyed several European tours with family and friends. After the earthquake in Haiti, she spent a month there serving as a nurse. Whatever she did, she poured her whole heart into it. Her nieces and nephews treasure memories of hiking with her in the mountains. She was hospitable, loved having company, and we were always delighted when she made Mexican food.

She loved and collected books and could always find a bookstore or a book sale wherever she went. Quilting was one of her favorite pastimes, and she spent hours piecing quilts for her siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Her wide range of experience made her a natural mentor – whether to teachers, nurses, or anyone facing personal struggles. She was a willing worker who gave herself fully to every task.

In her early retirement, she was diagnosed with Picks disease, a type of dementia. Over the next 10 years, we lost the sister and aunt we had known and loved. As her ability to communicate faded, life became difficult, yet she never complained. She spent her final years in WCC, where she received loving care – much of it from her fellow nursing peers. As her family, we thank the nurses for the dedicated interest and care they gave Vada. Her sister, Merita and friends Evangeline and Dale devoted many hours to caring for her, and we will always be grateful for the love they showed.

Awaiting her in Heaven are her parents, her brothers, Dayton and Allen, and her nephew, Randy.

Those left to cherish her memory are: Merita and Ben Mandel, of Silver Valley, AB; Virgil and Nancy, of Acme, AB; Rosalie, wife of Dayton, of Farwell, Texas, USA; and Wanda, wife of Allen, of Acme, AB; her nieces and nephews and their families, family friends, Reuben and Jeannette Mandel and family, of Linden, AB; and Dale Isaac, of Stettler, AB; as well as many other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Swalwell Country Church, followed by a Graveside Service at the Linden Cemetery. With a Reception to follow at the Swalwell Country Church.

If family and friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the West View Care Community.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Vada's family here.