Kristen Unruh

Kristen died September 14, 2017, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Abiding Faith Church in Ortonville with Rev. Richard Larson officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville. Visitation will continue on Thursday for one hour prior to the time of service at the church.

Kristen was born October 13, 1943, in Minnesota, the daughter of Gunder Christian Kampen and Maybelle Elise MacLaren. Kristen grew up in the Corona, SD area and graduated from Corona High School in 1961. Kristen continued her education at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education, Health, and English (secondary education). Kristen moved to Watertown and worked as a Physical Education teacher. She enjoyed a vacation to Naples, Italy where she met Paul Unruh, who was stationed in Naples with the Army. The couple were married on August 13, 1971, in Naples - ten days after they had met!

Kristen and Paul moved to California, then lived in Germany for three years. They returned to the United States and lived in Arizona and Wisconsin before moving back to Germany. They moved to Ortonville, MN in 1986 and eventually settled in Big Stone City, SD. Kristen began working at Monarch Heights in 1986 and was Administrator there for 31 years.
Kristen’s world revolved around her family. She loved and cherished her grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time at the lake, surrounded by her family. Her hobbies included crocheting, cross stitching, and reading. She was a member of the Circle of Faith women’s group.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Paul of Big Stone City, SD; two daughters: Kelly Gustafson (Stacey) of Ortonville, MN; Paula (Eric) Hamm of Morris, MN; six grandchildren: Mackenzie Gustafson, Alexander Gustafson, Madeleine Gustafson, Emily Hamm, Nathaniel Gustafson, and Sean Hamm. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, James Kampen.