Dorothy I Unruh

Dorothy I. (Dudte) Unruh, 103, passed away under hospice care on June 19, 2025, at a Paramount Community Living and Rehab Greenhouse in Newton, Kansas.

Dorothy was born on September 12, 1921 to Anna (Tangeman) and John L Dudte in a Gordon-Van Tine pre-cut house north of Newton. It is said the home was also the first in Harvey County with an indoor toilet. Dorothy graduated from Newton High in 1940. Her work career included executive secretary for Newton Finance and the Santa Fe Railroad. Her shorthand skills made Christmas lists impossible to read.

Ernest (Ernie) Unruh and Dorothy were married November 9, 1946 at Bethel College Mennonite Church when services were held in the Administration building. Following a honeymoon trip to Cuba, Dorothy continued her professional work over the years as the bookkeeper for the couples’ businesses including Unruh’s Service, Farmer’s Feed Mill and Mid-Kansas Rentals. Ernie cherished his wife never failing to kiss her each time he walked in the door and always complimented her hair after her weekly appointments with Mary, her hairdresser of 50-plus years.

Dorothy’s later years were filled with Grandma days, after school care, sewing costumes, and attending sport and dance events that kept her actively involved in her grandchildren’s lives. She was also a tremendous help to her daughter in preparing materials for many art classes and Christmas ornaments.

An avid knitter, in 2017, Dorothy invented “Knit Blockers” a knit blocking tool that was patented and distributed worldwide. She achieved a “bucket list” activity when she took a hot air balloon ride after her 101th birthday.

Dorothy was a lovely, kind and beautiful woman. Her shy demeanor gave her a quiet elegance, her life well-lived leaves us with decades of memories.

Dorothy is survived by son Rodney I.(Sherry) Unruh, Estes Park, Colorado and grandchildren Richard (Janna) Unruh, Nashville, Tennessee; Dr. Kenneth (Katy) Unruh, Leawood, Kansas; daughter Teresa Arthur, Overland Park, Kansas and grandchildren Chad (Serena) Arthur, Olathe, Kansas; Alan (Sarah) Arthur, Overland Park, Kansas; Melanie (CJ) Wolfe, Lenexa, Kansas; daughter LaDonna (Eugene) Voth, Newton, Kansas and grandchildren E Josef Voth, Kansas City, Missouri and Aneka Voth, Kansas City, Missouri; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ernest A. Unruh; brothers Fred (Hazel) Dudte, Harry Dudte; sisters Margaret (Ed) Gates, Gertrude (Hugh) Jeter, Mary Williams, Jesse (Ralph) Allen and Elsie (Lee) Johnson

The family will have a private inurnment service at a later date.