Published: November 05, 2009 08:07 pm         

Barbara Lee Unruh

Published 11-6-09

Enid, OK — Barbara Lee Unruh, age 80, Kansas City, Mo., passed away Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at her home. The funeral was held Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, and burial was in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Kansas City. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home Chapel, 601 W. Broadway, Enid, Okla.

Barbara was born Feb. 26, 1929, in Enid, Okla. She graduated from Enid High School and attended Oklahoma State University, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Phi sorority. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from Phillips University. Barbara married Leroy Goertzen on Jan. 22, 1950, and they resided in Wichita, Kan., St. Louis, Mo., and Elizabethtown, Pa., where Leroy worked for Cessna Aircraft Co., until his death in 1967. They had two children, Mark and Mary Lee.

After Leroy’s death, Barbara moved back to Enid in 1967. She married local homebuilder Gary Unruh. Gary and Barbara had one daughter, Jennifer. Gary and Barbara owned a homebuilding and real estate business, Gary Unruh Gallery of Homes.

Barbara served as president of Enid Board of Realtors; elder and deacon at Christian Church of the Covenant; vice chairman of Garfield County Republican Party; and board member of Enid Phillips Symphony. She volunteered for Enid Public Schools, tutoring foreign language students. Barbara was an avid reader of mystery novels. She loved to travel, especially with her beloved sister and best friend, Rosemary.

In 1987, Barbara moved with Gary to Overland Park, Kan., after closing their Enid real estate business. Barbara worked as a real estate agent for J.D. Reece. She lived in Kansas City for 22 years. Her greatest joy at the end of her life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Barbara’s friends and family will remember her as a witty, wise, kind and generous woman. To her children, she was the best mother in the world.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Lee and Charles Killam; first husband, Leroy Henry Goertzen; second husband, Gary Unruh; brother, Charles Killam; and sister, Rosemary Harrah.

Survivors include son, Mark Goertzen and wife Yolanda of Turlock, Calif.; daughter, Mary Lee Hughes and husband Mark of New Orleans, La.; daughter, Jenny Unruh Erdman and husband Warren of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Mark Goertzen, Declan Hughes, Colin Hughes, August Erdman and Audrey Erdman; brother, Robert Killam of Tulsa, Okla.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Meals on Wheels, Shawnee Mission, 8029 Overland Park Dr., Shawnee Mission, KS 66204. Local arrangements entrusted to Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home. Condolences may be given to the family online at www.enidwecare.com.

(Paid Obit 11-6-1)