Loren Harold Unruh, 79, passed away Nov. 17, 2022, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita. He was born on Feb. 9, 1943, to Ira & Ella (Ward) Unruh in Great Bend, where he grew up on the family farm. He met the love of his life, Connie Yuebanks, at church camp and they were married on Jan. 19, 1964 in Great Bend.
After Loren and Connie married, they had three children: Rick, Shawnda and Krista. Connie passed away on Jan. 28, 1987. He married Gayle Kirchenman in 1988. She helped him continue managing the businesses until her death on May 30, 2022.
Loren bought his first combine at age 21 and started his custom combine business where he traveled from Texas to Montana harvesting wheat for farmers. In 1970, Loren and Connie opened the Black Angus Steak Ranch and in 1977 the Best Western Angus Inn.
Loren was an active member in the community by serving on the board for the Chamber of Commerce and in 1978, he founded the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Loren was the Chairman of the Board for Best Western International, KS Restaurant & Hospitality Association, and KS Lodging Association. Loren also loved the Barton County Cougars and was very proud to be a Top Cat. He founded the Cougar Booster Club and was awarded the 2016 Distinguished Service Award.
Loren was a member of Encounter Church (First Assembly of God) throughout his adult life, where he served as a Deacon and was passionate about furthering the gospel through world missions.
Loren is survived by his two daughters, Shawnda (Stan) Misina of Wilton, N.H. and Krista (Rich) Osborne of Riverdale, N.J.; seven grandchildren: Dake (Kristi) Unruh of Benton, Kan., Priscilla (Travis) Wilson of Wilton, N.H., Benjamin Garcia of Texas, Darian (Taylor) Unruh of Park City, Kan., Haley (Hunter) Gullion of Springfield, Mo., Rich (Yoseline) Osborne of Alexandria, Va. and Ryan Osborne of Riverdale, N.J.; eight great-grandchildren: Sadie, Londyn, Tate and Landon Unruh, Liam and Savannah Wilson, Emma and Brayden Gullion; and three brothers, Paul Unruh of Great Bend, Victor (Marge) Unruh of Tarpon Springs, Fla. and Phillip (Bobbie) Unruh of Houston, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ira and Ella Unruh; his beloved first wife, Connie (Yuebanks) Unruh; his second wife, Gayle (Royset) Unruh; his son, Rick Unruh; and his grandson, Landon Tate Unruh.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Dece. 2, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family present from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Encounter Church, with Pastor Dwight Dozier presiding. Interment will be in Dundee Valley Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to U.S. Missions - Assemblies of God or Barton Community College (BCC) Foundation for the Landon Unruh Memorial Scholarship, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune Nov. 27, 2022
