Robert John Runia

Robert Runia, age 92, of Marshall, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, November 4, 2016, at the Clarkfield Care Center. Funeral Services are 11:00 AM Friday, November 11, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Marshall. Following a reception, interment will be in the Ruthton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A prayer service is scheduled for 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, on Friday at the church.

Clergy Officiating: Rev. Greg Linscott
Organist: Hannah Patke
Congregational Hymns: What A Day That Will Be / Precious Lord, take My Hand / When We All Get To Heaven
Special Music: Duet - Jennifer Linscott and Karen Goblirsch
Honorary Casket Bearers: Bob’s granddaughters: Sara Larson, Alecia Runia, Rachel Runia, Rosylnn Runia, Ashley Szymczak, Michala White, Erica Morman, Heidi Runia
Active Casket Bearers: Bob’s grandsons: Ryan Runia, Travis Runia, Matt Larson, Jeremy Cochran, Justin Szymczak, Kyle Frink
Military Honors: Balaton American Legion, Post #237

Robert “Bob” John Runia was born on June 16, 1924, in Sheldon, IA. He was the second oldest son of Ralph and Tryntje “Kate” (Zeylemaker) Runia.

Robert grew up on a farm near Lake Wilson, MN. He attended country school through the 8th grade and then became a farm laborer until he entered the service.

Robert served in the U.S. Army during World War II as military police and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, Oregon and Camp Carson, Colorado. In October 2010, Robert had the privilege of going on the Veteran’s ‘Honor Flight’ to Washington D.C.

Robert was united in marriage to Marian Jane Fischer in Pipestone, MN on November 9, 1951. They started their married life by Russell farming and milking cows and in 1952, moved to a farm near Tyler. In 1968, they moved to a farm outside of Ruthton until they retired from farming in 1990. In 1992, they bought a modular home and moved it onto their son’s acreage outside of Marshall where they enjoyed their summers. They would have celebrated 65 years of marriage on November 9, 2016.

In 1987, Bob and Marian started spending their winters in Yuma, AZ where they bought a lot and Bob designed and built their home in 1989 including all the cabinetry. He loved spending time with friends having coffee, playing games and had fun going dune buggy riding or four wheeling in the desert. He enjoyed doing carpentry work for others during the winter.

Bob loved home improvement projects and found great pleasure in gardening. He spent time making wood craft projects with Marian as presents for their family and friends. He also enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins play. Bob was a man of deep faith and grateful for every day the Lord gave him.

He is survived by his wife, Marian Runia of Marshall; five children, Randall (Linda) Runia of Marshall, Curtis (Lynn) Runia of Tucson, AZ, Arlen (Patricia) Runia of Appleton, MN, Diane (Rick) Morman of Tecumseh, MI, Sherrie (Dan) White of Owatonna, MN; eleven grandchildren, Ryan (Heidi) Runia, Travis Runia, Sara (Matt) Larson, Alecia Runia (fiancé Kyle Frink), Rachel (Jeremy) Cochran, Roslynn Runia, Ashley (Justin) Szymczak, Michala White, Erica Morman, Sean (Crystal) Coughlin and Matt Coughlin; three great grandchildren, Ronin Runia, Kamryn Runia and Liam Coughlin; four brothers, Jerry (Jean) Runia, Wally (Evelyn) Runia, Mike (Carolyn) Runia and Butch Runia; and three sisters, Dorothy (Don) Mitchell, Helen (Harvey) Horn and Phyllis (Jim) Nielson.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel; twin great granddaughters; his parents; four brothers, Frederick, Gilbert, Vernon and Richard Runia; two sisters, Ruth Ann Runia and Evelyn Mitchell.

“Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Matthew: 24:44