Calvin "Cal" Unruh

Surrounded by his loving family, Calvin (Cal) Unruh, 82, passed away at Pine Village, Moundridge, Kansas, on June 25, 2024. Cal was born on June 22, 1942, at Bethesda Hospital in Goessel, Kansas to Raymond and Stella (Reimer) Unruh.

Cal grew up in rural Galva, Kansas and attended South Union and Sunflower Grade Schools. Cal was the oldest of four children and enjoyed paving the way for the other siblings—sometimes pushing the rules a bit. He attended Moundridge High School where he met the love of his life, Marlene Stucky. Together they enjoyed high school activities, various singing groups, prom and dances at Teen Town. Later they were united in marriage on July 14, 1962, at Eden Mennonite Church and enjoyed 61 years of marriage. Upon confession of faith, Cal was baptized in 1958 at West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge, Kansas and later in life became a member of McPherson Mennonite Church, McPherson, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Science degree at McPherson College where he also played football. 

In 1971, another lady entered the Unruh family when daughter Kristal was born. Kristal and her husband, Shane Boswell, were very attentive and helpful as Cal’s health declined in recent months.  

Cal had some interesting jobs in his lifetime. He was a purchasing agent at Hesston Corporation, worked at the Parks and Recreation departments in Hutchinson, Kansas and Yuma, Arizona (where he was also a local TV weather forecaster celebrity). He was also an Over The Road trucker for various companies and at one time owned his own trucking equipment and worked as an independent driver. 

Everyone who met Cal knew he had a passion for NASCAR racing and motorcycles. Cal liked speed and was thrilled to have the opportunity to do solo laps in a NASCAR race car at the Kansas Speedway Racing Experience. Cal was a “Harley Man” and owned several Harley Davidson motorcycles. He even joked that he would have a specially designed coffin in the shape of a Harley. While he had many motorcycle friends, Cal particularly enjoyed discussing all things motorcycle and riding with his special friend, Stan Stucky. Cal was able to convince Marlene to ride with him on several trips, with the most memorable to Sturgis, South Dakota. Cal and his brother, Wayne, started basketball officiating at Sunflower Grade School and while Wayne continued his officiating career, Cal opted to be an avid sports fan who did not very often miss a televised Kansas Jayhawks basketball game. Another sports highlight for Cal was playing doubles tennis with professional Rosemary Casals who was known as a tennis rebel—a perfect fit for Cal. 

Cal leaves many special friends with whom he and Marlene enjoyed ski trips in Colorado and additional travels to Cancun and the Caribbean. He had a caring spirit for other people and was a mentor to a young man at First Mennonite Church. Cal was kind-hearted, mischievous, and loved to tell a good joke even though he got eye-rolling looks from Marlene. 

Cal was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wayne Unruh; parents-in-law John and Cora Stucky, sisters-in-law Vera Thiesen, Pat Stucky and Betty Stucky; brothers-in law Merlin Thiesen, and Howard Kaufman; Niece Kimberly Kaufman. 

Mourning Cal’s departure are his wife, Marlene; daughter and husband, Kristal Unruh and Shane Boswell of McPherson, Kansas; sisters Maggie (Gary) Davenport of Leawood, Kansas and Debra (Terry) Schmidt of Lawrence, Kansas; and special canine companions, Stormy and Vinny. Survivors also include sisters-in-law Helen Unruh, Neva Kaufman and Judy (Roger) Krehbiel; and brothers-in-law Wayne (Sharon) Stucky, Ken Stucky and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, Kansas. A graveside service will be at 9:30 AM, Monday, July 1, at McPherson Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 10:30 AM, at First Mennonite Church, 1161 East A Ave., McPherson. To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please CLICK HERE

Memorials have been established at Pine Village and First Mennonite Church in care of the Stockham Family Funeral Home.