Paul L. Unrau

Paul LeRoy Unrau was born on September 27, 1950 in Rushville, NE to Art and Isabelle (Claassen) Unrau. He was called home to the Lord on August 22, 2025. Paul’s parents were home missionaries to the Ogallala Sioux Indian Tribe. He and his sisters, Phyllis, Elvera, and Priscilla grew up and attended elementary school on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota on the Nebraska border. He attended high school at Central Christian High School in Hutchinson, KS where his older sister Elvera was a teacher. Following high school Paul continued his education at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS. At Tabor he played varsity tennis, lettering three times, and served as yearbook editor for two years. While at Tabor Paul became known as a practical joker, something that would continue throughout his life. In addition to receiving degrees in elementary education and German from Tabor in 1972, Paul later returned to school, earning his Masters in Elementary Education from Wichita State in 1976. After graduating from Tabor, he began teaching the 4th grade at Moundridge elementary school, and taught there until he retired from teaching in 2001. It was here that he met the love of his life, the teacher next door, Grace Entz. Grace and Paul were married on December 27, 1983. Paul and Grace shared a love for youth and sports. Though Paul mentored youth through sports by coaching middle school soccer, basketball, and track, baseball was his favorite. Paul coached Babe Ruth baseball for 25 years, established the Newton Babe Ruth League, and served as the state tournament director. He was selected Manager of the Mid Kansas League All-Stars 15 times, with his teams qualifying for the state tournament 10 times. After he retired from coaching he stayed active on the Babe Ruth Board of Directors serving as Treasurer for 25 years, and the state Cal Ripken Commissioner for the past 15 years. Paul has been enshrined in both the Kansas Babe Ruth Hall of Fame and the Midwest Plains Babe Ruth Hall of Fame. His love of baseball took him to many Royal’s games including two World Series games as well as numerous summer trips across the country to games with Grace or friends. He attended games in every major league city and every stadium. In addition to baseball, he enjoyed college basketball. He and Grace first bought season tickets to Shocker Basketball in 1976, and he regularly attended the Big 12 tournament since it was the Big 8. Shocker Basketball brought out Paul’s jokester side as he once wore a wig and stood next to the opposing coach, and on another occasion took it upon himself to direct the pep band. Paul’s relationship with Christ was central to his life. He regularly volunteered at the churches he attended. At various times he served as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, sound and graphics technician, and led a youth puppet drama team for over 10 years. Always looking to help others, Paul volunteered at Victory in the Valley for the past 18 years, and kept busy shuttling Cedars residents to and from their appointments for the past 3 years. Paul is survived by his sisters Elvera (Charles) Rempel of Oklahoma City, and Phyllis (Dale) Schroeder of Lakewood, Colorado. He is predeceased by his wife in 2007, his parents, and by his sister Priscilla (Richard) Wieneke. A celebration of his life will be held at 9:30am on August 30, 2025 at New Hope Evangelical Church in McPherson, KS with Pastor George Bocox officiating. In lieu of flowers, family request donations to Tabor College, Victory in the Valley or Union Rescue Mission and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger-Wiggins Funeral Home; 222 W. Euclid St., McPherson, KS. 67460.

Paul L. Unrau

September 27, 1950 - August 22, 2025