Cynthia A. Unruh

Cynthia “Cyndi” Anne Unruh, 69, of Glyndon, Minnesota, passed away on April 23, 2026 surrounded by her family.

She was born on February 16, 1957, in Grafton, North Dakota, to John and Mary Ellen Salwei, one of ten children in a close-knit family that remained an important part of her life.

She attended Lake Region Community College and married Mark Unruh in Devils Lake, North Dakota, in 1977.

Early in her career, she worked at Montgomery Ward and later served as an administrative assistant for OK Tire, working alongside her husband. Most importantly, she dedicated much of her life to creating a home centered on family and raising her daughters.

She shared 48 years of marriage with her husband, Mark, a partnership built on love, resilience, and showing up for one another through every season of life. Together they built a life in Jamestown and Fargo, North Dakota, later spending the last two decades in Minnesota.

Cyndi had a subtle sense of humor, strong opinions, and a way about her that made people feel her presence even in silence. Her Catholic faith was extremely important to her, later returning to the Church with renewed commitment, attending Mass regularly and observing holy days with devotion.

Cyndi found joy in simple things, especially her love of birds and the familiar, comforting sounds of home, including the call of mourning doves. She also loved researching family history through Ancestry, spending hours learning about where people came from and the stories that connected generations. It reflected both her love of family and her quiet curiosity about the people and history that shaped it. She appreciated life in a way that was observant and understated.

Cyndi faced the last months of her life with incredible strength. She fought hard, pushed through difficult days, and showed the same quiet determination that had always defined her. Her resilience never went unnoticed by those who loved her most.

She is survived by her husband, Mark; her daughters, Heather Hiebert and Melissa Unruh; grandchildren, Jasmine, Jayden, Madison, Melia, and Macee.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Ellen Salwei; siblings, Brian Salwei and Sue Thomson; and parents-in-law, Robert and Esther Unruh.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Holy Cross North Cemetery. Service details: visitation 9:00-10:00 AM followed by the funeral Mass at 10:00 AM Thursday, April 30, 2026.