Cornelius Unrau

1939-45 War Medal

Canadian Infantry Corps

WW II

Cornelius Unrau was born 14 August 1923 at Horndean, Manitoba to Jacob A. (1896-1967) and Mary (1900-1976) (Wiebe) Unrau. He attended school in Winkler, Manitoba until 1937 when he went to work as a farm labourer at various farms in southern Manitoba. He worked at the C. Kehler farm at Kane, Manitoba for 18 months prior to enlistment. Cornelius was the second of 13 children in the Unrau family, Mary 1921, Cornelius, Elizabeth 1925, Katherina 1927, Abram 1928, Sara 1929, Margaret 1931, Jacob 1932, Helen 1935, Esther 1936, William 1939, Annie 1942, and Judy 1947.

Cornelius enlisted in the Canadian Army 19 June 1944 at Winnipeg, Manitoba and commenced training at Fort Garry, Manitoba and remained there until transferred to Shilo on 17 September 1944. He was a fully trained soldier for the Canadian Infantry Corps by years end but remained in Canada and was employed at Shilo, general duties, until released 03 October 1946.

Cornelius began working for the Manitoba Department of Highways in 1950 and remained there until retiring as a Supervisor, he was 63. He married Evelyn Unger on 30 August 1953 at the EMMC (Rudnerweide Church) in Altona, Manitoba. They had 5 children, Larry 1954, Leona (Rachul) 1955, Daryl 1960, Ronald 1962, Denise (Thiessen) 1972. Cornelius was a patient, loving and hardworking man; there was always time for family get together and games around the kitchen table. He had to keep busy; when he wasn’t renovating the house he was tinkering in the garage but was always willing to lend a hand with whatever his kids were doing. He loved his music and many evenings were spent with him strumming tunes on the guitar or playing the piano/organ. He was always looking for a new instrument to play or buy.

Camping and fishing were a great past time for Cornelius. He had a cottage at Rock Lake where many hours were spent on the water, he loved to fish. He loved hockey – never missed a game especially when his grandkids were playing.

Cornelius loved to tell stories like when he was younger and he had a Harley. It was his only way to get around in the winter and as the roads were not plowed, he had a chain around the back tire; he was able to ride over snow banks and not get stuck. The first home Cornelius and Evelyn bought was in Morden on Mountain Street and then they bought a home on Nelson Street where they raised their kids. He often told stories about the community, like when Lake Minnewasta was built and the history here and the stories that went along with it.

Cornelius Unrau died 30 October 2014 and is buried at South Side Cemetery, Morden Manitoba.

Information supplied by family and Library and Archives Canada.