Reverend John T. Unrau

Reverend John T. Unrau passed away at the MacGregor Health Centre on March 9, 2026 at the age of 86.

John was born in the RM of Rhineland, Manitoba on December 12, 1939  to Maria Thiessen and Diedrick (Dick) Unrau.  He moved with his family numerous times before 1957, when they moved to MacGregor, Manitoba.

John met Margaret (Marge) Dyck in July 1959.  After dating for just over a year, they were married on September 24, 1961.  They built a life together on the farm south of MacGregor where they raised their five children.  They moved into a house in MacGregor in 1998 and then to Victoria Place in 2016.  In January 2020 John moved to MacGregor Health Centre due to deteriorating health.

John was ordained as a minister in the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church on April 27, 1980.  Over his 31 years in the ministry he performed many services, funerals, and weddings.  This work was incredibly meaningful for him.  He remained active in ministry until his  retirement in 2011.

John exemplified devotion to his faith and family throughout the life he built with Marge.  He did not do things by half measure, and brought his best efforts to what he did, whether it was ministry, farm work, or the occasional baseball game.

He leaves to mourn his passing wife Marge, children Martin (Roxie), Glenda (Corny), Harold (Karen), Janice (Peter), Norman (Angela), 23 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and siblings Lena, Katherina (Tina), Abe, and Susan.  He will also be greatly missed by 3 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, and their spouses, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. 

He is predeceased by siblings Mary, Pete, and Jake and granddaughter Jo-Anne.

We wish to express deep appreciation to the staff at the MacGregor Health Centre for the excellent care that John received over the last 6 years, the centre was home.  Memorial donations may be made to the MacGregor Health Centre in John's memory.