02 Jan Margaret Unruh

Margaret Unruh, 61, Mandan, departed from this life on January 1, 2020 at CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck, surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 6th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bismarck Funeral Home, 3723 Lockport St., Bismarck with a prayer service from 7 to 8 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7^th, at First Lutheran Church, 800 N. 7^th St., Bismarck.  Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at Fairview cemetery.

Margaret Joy Samuelson was born October 8, 1958, the daughter of Robert E. and Ramona (Jurgens) Samuelson. She attended school in Crookston, MN, graduating in 1977. Growing up she enjoyed 4H, cooking, sewing, and singing. In 1981, she graduated from Minnesota State Moorhead with Honors. Over the years, she pursued her gift as an Elementary Educator in Karlstad, MN, Flasher, ND, Emmanuel Christian, Mandan, and Cannonball, ND where she valued every child she encountered, and carried their youthful joy home.

On September 4^th, 1982 she married Paul Unruh and together they raised two children, Samuel and Larissa.

Margaret was described by many as one of the most kind and gentle individuals they have encountered.  Later in life, she enjoyed singing, going to church, Wednesday morning Bible study, having coffee with friends, time with her dogs, gardening, and creating memorable moments with family. She was a member of the board for the Flasher Public School, the Flasher Community Credit Union, and American Lutheran Church, Flasher and First Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Also, during her years in Flasher, she became a part of the lay leadership team serving Horizon Parish. She pursued her love of writing on many occasions, at many levels, writing multiple blogs, collaborating in one book and attending writing clinics.

Margaret will be dearly missed by her husband, Paul, Mandan; son, Samuel Unruh (Kayla), Bismarck; daughter, Larissa Unruh, Bismarck; step-son Joe (Jessica) Swenson, Minneapolis; her siblings, Mary (Jeff) Volk, Crookston, MN; Marlys (Scott) Balstad, Fosston, MN; Eric (Kim) Samuelson, Crookston, Robert (Tiffany) Samuelson, Crookston, and Charlotte (Chris Palmer) Samuelson, Bellingham, WA; step-mother Juanita Samuelson, Crookston, and father and mother-in-law, Milton and Rosalie Unruh, Palm Desert, CA.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Ramona Samuelson, her grandparents, and many cherished aunts and uncles.

Her joy and her passion in life belonged to her family, her husband, son, daughter, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

She asks that every person take the time to commit an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need, as often as possible.

“It’s my family, my friends, my teaching and my garden that have chinked all those little cracks left around my heart. My heart is full, I have no regrets!”