More than seven years after the heartbreaking loss of Alexis Unrau, her memory continues to inspire meaningful conversations about mental health and provide support to young people in her community through a lasting legacy established in her name.
Alexis died by suicide in June 2019, leaving family, friends, and loved ones devastated and searching for answers that may never come. For those closest to her, the news arrived in the most unexpected and painful way. After messages and calls went unanswered, concern quickly turned to shock when a search for contact information instead revealed her obituary.
The moment remains etched in the minds of her friends. One recalled walking through the door to find Jake staring at a computer screen, pale and in tears. The realization that Alexis was gone felt impossible to comprehend. One day she had been part of everyday conversations, and the next, her smiling photograph appeared beside the date marking the end of her life.
Friends remember Alexis for her sharp wit, unique sense of humor, and unwavering loyalty. She was the kind of person who could lift others up during their darkest moments. One cherished memory involved Alexis encouraging a struggling friend to attend an event despite every excuse to stay home. Showing up in matching sweats and a hoodie, she transformed a difficult day into a night filled with laughter, dancing, and friendship.
Perhaps most tragically, Alexis had dedicated much of her life to helping others navigate mental health challenges. Her loss left many wondering whether there had been signs they missed or words they could have said. While those questions remain unanswered, her loved ones chose to channel their grief into action.
For their 30th birthdays, Jake and his partner set a goal of raising $30,000 in Alexis’s memory. Thanks to overwhelming community support, they achieved that goal, establishing the Alexis Unrau Bursary Fund through the Community Foundation Portage.
Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, the fund continues to support Portage la Prairie high school students who promote open conversations about mental health. With an additional $5,000 donation made this year, the bursary’s impact will continue for years to come.
Through every student helped and every conversation started, Alexis’s legacy endures—encouraging understanding, compassion, and hope for future generations.