Roland N. Unruh

Roland N. Unruh, 92, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024, at CHI Saint Alexis Hospital. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Roland was born on June 24, 1931, the son of, Chris and Catherine Unruh on the family Farm south of Glen Ullin. He was raised and educated in that area and worked on the family farm near Glen Ullin and also in Wing. He eventually became a union ironworker along with his brother Rudy when they went to Pierre, South Dakota to work on a bridge. Throughout his life, he worked at various missiles, power  plants, and other jobs around the state and surrounding states.

In December of 1958, he married. Illajean Kraft. They lived in McCluskey for a time before moving to Wing. They also lived in Walhalla and a few other places throughout their 63 years of marriage, eventually settling in Bismarck. They were blessed with two boys, Allen and Larry and lots of memories throughout the years, from dancing in Wing to taking family trips.

Roland was a cancer survivor and went through three years of treatment following a skin cancer diagnosis.

Roland liked to build things and tinker in his garage. He taught his boys how to hunt and shoot guns. He was a family man and provided for his family. He also did taxidermy and at one time played in a band as a drummer and a horn player. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Illajean; son, Allen, of Mandan, and Larry of Kansas grandsons, Zachary (Cassie) and Nathan (Jake), Jeremiah and Joshua; his sister, Ruth of Bismarck and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Ruben, Rudy, and Armin “Tex”.