Alfred (Al) Unrau

It is with extreme sorrow and sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, son, son-in-law, brother, uncle, and friend. Alfred Unrau, age 45, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus on Sunday, October 16, 2022.

He was predeceased by his older brother, Ron Unrau in 2017.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Josephine (Josie), daughter Avery (Joel), sons Liam and Benen (Brooke), and granddaughter Nora. He also leaves to mourn his parents Wilhelm and Aganetha, sister Marsella (Chad), sister-in-law Josi, brothers Jerry (Eleana) and Eldon (Lindsay), parents-in-law Jim and Helena Hiebert, brothers-in-law Jeremy (Jaclyn), Brent (Deb), and Evan. As well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Alfred was born June 19, 1977, to Wilhelm and Aganetha Unrau in Tres Palmas, Paraguay. He grew up in a loving, Godly home where he started his journey of loving Jesus.  He was so proud of his Paraguayan heritage, and made it known.  In his childhood he loved to run, cycle, fish, play and cause mischief.

Alfred married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Jos, on June 14, 1998, at The Honey Tree in Kleefeld, MB. They were prepared to celebrate their 25^th anniversary this next year. In good Al fashion, they had their family young and close together to keep the adventure going. Avery (2000), Liam (2002), and Benen (2004). Al valued and bragged about his family; they were everything for him.  His children would like to re-iterate just how fantastic a father, and role model he was. He always took time for them.

He worked in multiple areas over the years. He went for his drafting education and started drawing various blueprints. After some time, he and Jos felt called to serve at Camp Cedarwood YFC where Al served as head cook. They served here for about 2 years. As they continued to follow God’s calling, they spent 9 months serving in Mazatlán, Mexico, where he was the kitchen manager for Youth With A Mission. When they returned to Canada, he resumed drafting for a short time before making the decision to train as a corrections officer. He felt called to work in an area where he could serve more relationally and make an impact on people. After his training was complete, he began his career at Milner Ridge where he worked for approximately 15 years, up until his passing. His mission was to bring something positive and bright to his colleagues and to those in his care on a regular basis in a very challenging job. His heart for people was evident, he loved and served others as best he could and leaves behind many colleagues who became friends.

Al was adventurous and loved the outdoors; in his youth he would go rock climbing, hiking, camping, and enjoyed sports, and fishing. Later, he shared this passion with his family making many memories hunting, quadding, building, and working on projects with his wife and kids.  He relished spending time with them. They travelled to many places within Canada, around the United States, Costa Rica, and Mexico where Al collected tobacco pipes from the different places they would visit.

Even in our suffering, we continue to laugh as we share stories.

Al had a servant heart. He was relational, loved everyone, was always giving people hugs and making them laugh. He had a deep faith rooted in his love for Jesus and it was his desire to love others as Jesus loves us.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbour as yourself. Luke 10:27. Al lived out this verse as best he could.

He was perfectly imperfect. He would admit his faults and was genuine in accepting others as they were.

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord, apart from you, I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

Al had this verse underlined in his Bible with the comment written beside “I need you in all areas of my life”.

Until we meet again with our Lord and Saviour, we love you.

A celebration of Al’s life will be held Friday, October 28^th at 1pm at Southland Church in Steinbach. For those who are unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join them through livestream.

A special thanks to our closest family, friends, and colleagues for all your prayers and support.