Johann Unrau

Obituary

Our Dad, Johann (John) Unrau, was born to his parents Henry & Sarah (Zacharias) Unrau, on October 27, 1941, in Colonie Menno, Paraguay. He married our mother, Maria (Froese) on August 8, 1964. They shared almost 60 years of married life, loving and supporting each other until Mom passed away on May 3, 2024.

Dad had a difficult childhood with the tragic passing of his dad when he was only 10 years old and then being moved from foster home to foster home. This shaped him into the caring, compassionate, grateful and content man he was. Dad was a peace-loving man and a great encourager in his quiet way. He was the pillar of our family. He would make sure to take his family to church every week for youth, Bible study, Sunday school and Sunday services and he himself went to church every Sunday as long as he was able. Dad had a deep faith in Jesus Christ and daily relied on it. He prayed for his family daily and the last words he spoke were “Thank You” and “I love you”.

After our parents got married, Dad worked hard at farming for a few years and then at the Industry in Loma Plata, Paraguay when they moved off the farm. In 1978 they moved their family to Canada due to Dad’s health condition, here he worked at Loewen Windows for 28 years. In 2006 he retired at the age of 64. After retirement, he and Mom continued working together in their garden and yard and hobby farming until Mom’s health declined. When Mom was admitted to hospital in April 2024, Dad moved into Cedarwood Assisted Living where he encouraged the staff and residents with his positive and content attitude.

Dad dearly loved his grandchildren and teased them every chance he got. He remembered every child’s favorite food and was always grateful when the grandchildren would come out to help him. He was immensely proud of each of his children and grandchildren. Dad always supported Mom and we were not allowed to complain about Mom of the food she had made.

Dad appreciated every visit he received, be it at home on the farm, in Cedarwood, or in the hospital. Thank you to all for encouraging him in his final days.

Dad passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach, Manitoba with some of the family by his side.

He was predeceased by his wife, Maria, in 2024, and daughter Alwiera in 1978, seven sisters and one brother.

He is survived by four daughters and two sons and their families:

Helga (Bernie) Reimer, Erna Janke, Wilfried (Margaret) Unrau, Herbert (Annie) Unrau, Herta (Peter) Giesbrecht, Elfrieda (Elmer) Penner, son-in-law Bruce Janke and 22 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by five brothers and his Zacharias foster siblings.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cedarwood for the care and kindness shown to Dad. We also thank the medical staff at Bethesda Regional Health Centre for taking such loving care of our dad. Thank you as well to Birchwood Funeral Chapel and Volunteers who help out.

The viewing will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with devotional at 7:30 p.m.

The funeral service for Johann will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.