RUNGE, Margaret Leehy 1915-2003

RUNGE, LEEHY, ERICKSON, SIEMENS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 5/10/2012 at 22:02:50

Margaret Leehy Runge was born on January 19, 1915, the daughter of Thomas and Inger (Erickson) Leehy, at Linn Grove , IA. She passed away on Monday, December 8, 2003. She would have been 89 in January.

When she was born in a farm house in 1915, she shared with us that her parents paid $5.00 to the doctor, $5.00 to the nurse, and $5.00 to the buggy driver for their services. She was the youngest of four children. She had three older brothers named Eugene, Morris and Ellis (named after the Island at which her mother landed).

One of her favorite childhood memories was the story she told of a young girl from around her area who was taken by Indians. This was quite a feisty child because the story goes she threw such a fit that her captors couldn't stand it so they whipped her soundly and sent her home!

On April 22, 1934, Margaret was united in marriage to Karl Runge at Rembrandt, Iowa by Pastor Theo Lerude. They had two children, Jan Marshall and Caroline Camille. They moved with their family to Waterloo in 1952. She has been a faithful member of First Lutheran Church since coming to Waterloo worshiping and communing regularly until she was no longer able to attend. The fellowship she shared with the women of the congregation was important to her and she had made many life long friends.

On Easter Sunday 1984 Margaret and Karl celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by returning to Rembrandt, IA, where they were married. The both commented numerous times how special the experience was for them. In 1996, Margaret and her granddaughter Lynn attended a Son's of Norway meeting when special guest Norman Borlaug was there. They walked over to his table to introduce themselves and he invited them to be his dinner companions for the evening. Margaret was so thrilled!

Besides being a member of the Son's of Norway Solgamit Lodge, she was also a 50 year member of Buena Vista Chapter #309 Order of the Eastern Star, Past Matrons Club of Waterloo chapter #128 O.E.S., and a lifetime member of Allen Hospital Auxiliary where she volunteered at the hospital gift shop and then for many years as surgery hostess.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Runge of Waterloo; by eight grandchildren: Emillee and husband Ben Cunningham of Dunkerton, Douglas Siemens of Hagerstown, Maryland, Lynn Nagel of Waterloo, Steve Runge of Waterloo, Erik and wife Tami Runge of Waterloo, Bill Siemens of Fairfax, Virginia, Tom and wife Tammy Siemens of Waterloo, Jennifer Siemens of Denver, Colorado; by nine great-grandchildren: Daniel, Haley, Hope, Chase, Nashelle, Drake, Caden, Nick, and Carlee; and by a sister-in-law, Jean Runge of Waterloo.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, son; Jan Runge, Daughter: Caroline Siemens, and great-granddaughter, Dianna Cunningham. Three brothers: Eugene, Morris and Ellis Leehy.
Margaret's body will be laid to rest in the Barnes Township Cemetery, Linn Grove, Iowa.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their many kind expressions of sympathy and for your presence at the visitation and/or service. We invite you all to a light lunch that will be served in the parish hall by the ladies of the congragation immediately following the funeral service. They would welcome this opportunity to share fond memories with you, to let joy and laughter, sorrow and tears find expression with you, friends, and loved ones.

[Source: Locke Funeral Home]

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SSDI
Name: Margaret W. Runge
State of Issue: Iowa
Date of Birth: Tuesday January 19, 1915
Date of Death: Monday December 08, 2003
Est. Age at Death: 88 years, 10 months, 19 days
Confirmation: Verified
Last known residence:
City: Waterloo
County: Black Hawk
State: Iowa