Jean Myrna Runia

Jean Runia, age 93, of Tyler, Minnesota, died on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at the Skandia EFree Church south of Balaton, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. A Prayer Service is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Visitation will then continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 22, at the church.

Jean Myrna Magnuson was born on August 11, 1928, to parents Richard and Bergitte (Madsen) Magnuson. She was born and raised near East Chain, Minnesota, where she was baptized as an infant. At age 7, Jean suffered terrible burns and was under the care of a doctor for over one year before the family moved to Arco, Minnesota. Jean was confirmed there in her youth and after high school she worked various jobs before meeting Mr. Gerald Runia in 1943. The couple was married on Valentine's Day, 1948, and spent the next 70 years together prior to Gerry's death in 2018.

Jean and Gerry raised eight children and farmed for many years outside of Lake Wilson, Minnesota. She served as a loving homemaker and devoted farmwife prior to 2012 when the couple moved into the Tyler nursing home. Jean was a devoted member of the Skandia EFree Church near Balaton, Minnesota, where she was active in the ladies’ group and also taught Sunday School. Jean was an expert seamstress and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, painting, gardening, and was also skilled in many other crafts.

Jean Runia died peacefully on July 17, 2022, in Tyler, Minnesota, just a couple weeks shy of her 94th birthday. Blessed be her memory.

Jean is survived by 6 children, Keith Runia of Isle, Dale Runia of Rockford, IL, Lois (and Rolly) Bedow of Tyler, Nancy (and Tim) Ward of Greenville, IL, Greg (and Michelle) Runia of Montevideo, Norman (and LauraLee) Runia of St. Cloud; 18 grandchildren, Ross, Robin, Dan, Joel, Malorie, Bethany, Brett, Jennessa, Alissa, Joshua, Zachary, Jason, Jonathan, Jenny, Jessica, Justin, Trystan, Tyrell; many great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (and Karen) Magnuson of Spokane, WA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Preceding her in death is her husband, Gerry Runia; son, Roger Runia; daughter, Sandra Kramer; great-granddaughter, Megan Bedow; daughters-in-law, Pam Runia, Lila Runia; parents, Richard and Bergitte Magnuson; and siblings, Gordon Magnuson, Donald Magnuson, and Elaine Cromwell.