Clive Unrau of Austin, Manitoba, beloved husband of Margaret, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the age of 84 years, two months and 10 days in the palliative care ward of Brandon Regional Health Centre, Brandon, Manitoba.
Clive was born Dec. 28, 1931 the third child of Isaac and Justina Unrau, on the farm north of Plum Coulee where father Isaac farmed his mother’s property, in the Rural Municipality of Roland on land number 1-4-3-W1. Four of Clive’s siblings were also born there: elder brothers Wesley, then Leonard, after Clive came brother Ernest, followed by sister Almeda. Three years later the children acquired another sister, Dorothy, who arrived on the scene following the family’s move from Plum Coulee all the way to Rush Lake, Sask., and less than a year and a half later the youngest, Claude was born—a New Year’s baby, making seven children in all! Sadly, tragedy struck just eight months later when Clive’s four-year-old younger brother Ernest contracted diphtheria and died. The family moved back to Manitoba and were farming in the MacGregor-Austin area when tragedy struck yet again, this time claiming Clive’s next elder brother Leonard, 16, when a vehicle struck the horse he was riding. This now left Clive as the second eldest between elder brother Wesley and younger sister Almeda. Perhaps that accounts for the assertive nature Clive exhibited all his life!
Education consisted of a Grade 6 standing through attending Emmeline School in the MacGregor district. Apparently the curriculum must not have been demanding enough to keep the students out of mischief, because every so often tales of pranks would come out, such as the time they got a horse inside the school house—invariably blamed on the Thiessen boys but the half-smirk on his face surely gave the lie to Clive’s innocence in that project.
Despite what today would be considered a very minimal education, Clive had acquired enough to whet his appetite for more, and remained an avid student all his life, subscribing to magazines, investing in books about things mechanical, scientific and theological in nature, to feed his interests and offset the education and training he’d missed in the early years. Throughout his life he subscribed to a steady stream of magazines like Popular Mechanics, Popular Science and others to feed his thirst for knowledge and new ideas. But the spiritual dimension was not neglected in his diet and Back to the Bible’s Good News Broadcaster magazine was one example of food for the soul that came regularly in the mail.
Clive is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Unrau, and their five children and families, 15 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren: son Ernest and Lorna of Morden and their children Candace (Colin) Hamm of Steinbach, Corinne of Pincher Creek, Alta., Laurelle of Winnipeg, Tyler of Winnipeg (U of M), and Evan of Morden; son Wayne and Valorie Unrau of MacGregor and their children Brett and Ruth Unrau (Charlotte, Matthew) of Flin Flon, Dustin and Erynn Unrau (Annika) of Winnipeg, and Tyson and Kristy (Madison) Unrau of Winnipeg;  daughter Debbie and Steve Panchuk of Killarney and their children David of Winnipeg and Katelyn of Killarney; daughter Lorraine and Myles Carpenter of Winnipeg and their son Thomas of Winnipeg; son Mark and Laura Unrau of Pratt and their children Keri and Ethan, Kassy and Chance Murray (Addison, Lily) of Rossendale, and Russell Unrau of Winnipeg.
Clive was predeceased by his parents and three brothers, and is survived by one brother, Claude Unrau of MacGregor, sister Almeda (John) Rodgers of MacGregor, sister Dorothy Walde of Selkirk, and other nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Gerhardt Visser, the staff of the 400 ward and the staff of the palliative care ward of Brandon Regional Health Centre for the kind and compassionate medical care Clive received in his short stay in hospital. Thanks also to chaplains Joe Ball and Ken Quiring for their ministry and comfort during the family’s time together in Clive’s last hours. Thank you to friends and family who have offered condolences, comfort and support.