Joice Unruh

Joice Unruh, 92, passed away in the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook, December 21, 2023.

A service was held at the Wilderness Funeral Home, 500 Indiana St. in Chinook, Montana at 1:00 PM on January 8, 2024.

Joice was born on October 30, 1931 in Havre, MT. She married Russell Unruh on June 23, 1949. Joice and Russell ranched together north of Chinook with their son Gary. They had six children; Sheri, David, Gary, Mark, Vicki, and Russell.

Joice was a very creative and talented artist. She began by sewing most of the clothing for her children including western shirts with snaps for the boys and most of the dresses for herself and the girls. She also created beautiful dry flower arrangements and sold them to furniture stores in Havre. She designed and sold precious pearl jewelry. During this time, she fought and won her battle with breast cancer. At the age of 62, after Russell passed away, she and her son Gary had big shoes to fill. She continued to work on ranch business. She then picked up a paintbrush and, to the astonishment of her family, started painting beautiful oil canvas paintings. They were exhibited in galleries and many of them were sold. In her eighties, Joice told us she had always wanted to play the violin. At that point, she took lessons and learned to play the violin. She was also a great cook, especially when it came to desserts.

She loved to dance, was quick witted, and had a great sense of humor. Joice's love and kind heart was an inspiration to her loved ones. She was a beautiful woman inside and out, and a wonderful mother, grandmother, and wife.

Joice is survived by her two daughters, Sheri Young of Lakeside, Montana and Vicki Schafer of Carthage Tennessee; three sons, Gary and Russell, both of Chinook and Mark of Lakeside; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; daughters in Law Lori Unruh of Chinook and Marguerite Unruh of Lakeside; and her sister Mary Adams of Grand Junction, CO.

Joice is preceded in death by her son David, husband Russell, sister Darlene Church, brothers Bob Richards and James Richards, and her parents.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.