Obituary for Harry Henry Unger
Harry Unger, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, was born on December 27, 1934. He was the first child of Abraham and Anna Unger, born in the Plum Coulee area of Manitoba. Two sisters (Mary and Lilly) were added to the family within five years. Brother Abe was born shortly after the family moved to Elm Creek. They made another move in 1948 to Graysville. His sister Sylvia joined the family four years later.
His parents were farmers, and so he grew up helping on the farm. Here he developed a love for animals. He even had his own Shetland pony. This carried through in his life when his own family raised chickens and turkeys and had various family pets.
Harry worked with various local farmers after leaving home and eventually moved to Winnipeg. He began working for Macleod’s in the 50’s working as a forklift operator / warehouse hand and stayed with the same company until he retired over 40 years later. He met his lovely bride Katherine Buhler during a young people’s tobogganing event. A couple of months later he asked her to be his life partner, and they were married September 24, 1960. In the last few months of his life they were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
Their first home together was in a two-room suite, and their first child Shirley arrived almost a year later. In the spring of 1962, they purchased their first home in Prairie Grove. It is here that daughters Phyllis, Rosanne and Gladys, as well as son Wesley completed the family. Harry continued to work in Winnipeg while also keeping up a big garden and country property. After almost 30 years Harry and Kathy transitioned to city life in Winnipeg. And in 2018 they downsized to 55+ apartment living.
Harry had a love of music. He taught himself to play accordion and he played the harmonica; something his father also enjoyed doing. He appreciated country gospel music.
He loved to travel in the earlier years. He took bus rides, drove his family to Western Canada and several camping trips were made. When nearing retirement, he and his wife were able to visit his daughter serving in Europe. Many trips were also made to help people with moves to the west coast.
Harry could most often be seen wearing a two-pocket shirt, which he would use to their capacity, with a cap on his head and a toothpick in his mouth.
Harry had a heart to serve others and was always ready to help a neighbour in need. He was involved in boys’ club and drove the church bus for day camp. Time was always taken to teach his children baseball, swimming in the lake, and how to maintain a vehicle. When grandchildren came along, his lap was a warm and welcome place for them to investigate what treasures he had in his shirt pockets. He had time to play board games, take them to the park, and take in extra curricular events.
Harry found places to involve himself in the church like using his skills with carpentry to help, and also had a mathematical ability to assist with the finances. Harry and Kathy were involved in various small group Bible studies over the years. After retirement, he spent time volunteering for MCC and Bibles for Missions.
Harry had a knack for fixing things. He was often found under the hood of a vehicle till the later years when advanced technology took over. He worked with lawn mowers, appliances, tractors, bicycles, all with no special training. He was meticulous in all he did – snow shoveling, vacuuming, keeping the lawn, and much more.
After a short battle with leukemia, Harry Unger passed away on November 18, 2020 at Seven Oaks Hospital. He will be deeply missed by his wife Katherine; children Shirley, Phyllis, Rosanne (Randy Friesen), Gladys and Wesley; granddaughters Krystin (Phil Dueck), Avery Unger and grandsons Cody, Tyson and Rorey Skjaerlund; four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters Mary Hiebert, Lilly Wiebe and Sylvia Unger, as well as many nieces and nephews. Harry was predeceased by his parents and his brother Abram.
The family would like to express their thanks for the special care given to Harry at St. Boniface and Seven Oaks Hospital these past few weeks.
A graveside service will be held for Harry Unger at Prairie Grove Cemetery with only the immediate family in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greater Europe Mission for Shirley Unger https://gemission.ca/donate/ (donation field would be Shirley Unger)
His parents were farmers, and so he grew up helping on the farm. Here he developed a love for animals. He even had his own Shetland pony. This carried through in his life when his own family raised chickens and turkeys and had various family pets.
Harry worked with various local farmers after leaving home and eventually moved to Winnipeg. He began working for Macleod’s in the 50’s working as a forklift operator / warehouse hand and stayed with the same company until he retired over 40 years later. He met his lovely bride Katherine Buhler during a young people’s tobogganing event. A couple of months later he asked her to be his life partner, and they were married September 24, 1960. In the last few months of his life they were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
Their first home together was in a two-room suite, and their first child Shirley arrived almost a year later. In the spring of 1962, they purchased their first home in Prairie Grove. It is here that daughters Phyllis, Rosanne and Gladys, as well as son Wesley completed the family. Harry continued to work in Winnipeg while also keeping up a big garden and country property. After almost 30 years Harry and Kathy transitioned to city life in Winnipeg. And in 2018 they downsized to 55+ apartment living.
Harry had a love of music. He taught himself to play accordion and he played the harmonica; something his father also enjoyed doing. He appreciated country gospel music.
He loved to travel in the earlier years. He took bus rides, drove his family to Western Canada and several camping trips were made. When nearing retirement, he and his wife were able to visit his daughter serving in Europe. Many trips were also made to help people with moves to the west coast.
Harry could most often be seen wearing a two-pocket shirt, which he would use to their capacity, with a cap on his head and a toothpick in his mouth.
Harry had a heart to serve others and was always ready to help a neighbour in need. He was involved in boys’ club and drove the church bus for day camp. Time was always taken to teach his children baseball, swimming in the lake, and how to maintain a vehicle. When grandchildren came along, his lap was a warm and welcome place for them to investigate what treasures he had in his shirt pockets. He had time to play board games, take them to the park, and take in extra curricular events.
Harry found places to involve himself in the church like using his skills with carpentry to help, and also had a mathematical ability to assist with the finances. Harry and Kathy were involved in various small group Bible studies over the years. After retirement, he spent time volunteering for MCC and Bibles for Missions.
Harry had a knack for fixing things. He was often found under the hood of a vehicle till the later years when advanced technology took over. He worked with lawn mowers, appliances, tractors, bicycles, all with no special training. He was meticulous in all he did – snow shoveling, vacuuming, keeping the lawn, and much more.
After a short battle with leukemia, Harry Unger passed away on November 18, 2020 at Seven Oaks Hospital. He will be deeply missed by his wife Katherine; children Shirley, Phyllis, Rosanne (Randy Friesen), Gladys and Wesley; granddaughters Krystin (Phil Dueck), Avery Unger and grandsons Cody, Tyson and Rorey Skjaerlund; four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters Mary Hiebert, Lilly Wiebe and Sylvia Unger, as well as many nieces and nephews. Harry was predeceased by his parents and his brother Abram.
The family would like to express their thanks for the special care given to Harry at St. Boniface and Seven Oaks Hospital these past few weeks.
A graveside service will be held for Harry Unger at Prairie Grove Cemetery with only the immediate family in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greater Europe Mission for Shirley Unger https://gemission.ca/donate/ (donation field would be Shirley Unger)