Runyan, Oleta (Emmack) 1917-2003

EMMACK, RUNYAN, TESLIK, WILLIAMS, BALL, VAN ROEKEL, SLAGEL

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 6/30/2004 at 18:16:21

Obituary Oleta Runyan

Oleta Bernice Emmack was born March 10, 1917 on the family farm in Jasper County, Iowa. She was the fourth child of Guy Burzee and Myra Tilsie Brock Emmack. In the early years of her life, she was very sickly and required the constant care of a private nurse. She attended the Mound Prairie #6 Country School and graduated in 1934 from New[ton] High School.

She married Robert Earl Runyan of Colfax, on June 12, 1937 at the Baptist Parsonage in Marshalltown, Iowa. They lived nearly all their married life in Monroe and were the parents of three children: Janice Marie, Robert Earl and Lana Faye.

She served many years as a Campfire leader and taught Sunday School. She enjoyed flower gardening and doing handwork. She quilted with the ladies from the Methodist Church until her eyesight began to fail. She had a lifelong love of animals and always had a pet in her home.

After her husband died in August of 1970, she moved from Aurora, IL back to the family home in Monroe and then spent 10 years working in the music department of downtown Younkers in Des Moines, Iowa.

In May of 1999, after a fall where she broke both her wrists, she became a resident of Mayflower Health Care Center in Grinnell, where she received loving care from a highly competent staff.

She passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2003 at the Health Care Center at the age of 85 years, 11 months and five days. Those left to honor her memory are her three children and their spouses: Janice and Merritt Van Roekel of Monroe, IA, Robert Runyan of Boone, IA and Lana and Michael Slagel of Wellman, IA. There were eight grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

She also leaves her Sister-in-law Audra Emmack of Omaha, NE and a Brother-in law Louis Teslik of Grinnell, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Lyle Emmack, and two sisters Zelma Williams and Elva Ball. She was a faithful member of the Monroe United Methodist Church for over 60 years. Funeral services were held Feb. 19, 2003 at the United Methodist Church in Monroe, IA.
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MONROE - Oleta Runyan, 85, of Monroe died of a stroke Saturday, Feb. 15, at The Mayflower Home in Grinnell.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Monroe United Methodist Church with the Rev. Harold Koughn officiating. Burial will be at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. Walters-Coburn Funeral Home in Monroe is handling arrangements.

Friends may call after noon today at the funeral home where the family will be available from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Memorials will be accepted to the Monroe United Methodist Church or The Mayflower Home.

The daughter of Guy Burzee and Myra Tilsie (Brock) Emmack, she was born March 10, 1917, near Monroe. She attended school in Mound Prairie Number 6 Country School and graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1934.

On June 12, 1937, she married Robert Earl Runyan at Marshalltown. She was a homemaker and worked in the music department at Younkers for 10 years.

She was a member of the Monroe United Methodist Church. Mrs. Runyan lived most of her life in Monroe, except for a time spent in Aurora, Ill.

Survivors include a son, Robert Runyan of Boone; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Merritt Van Rockel of Monroe and Lana and Michael Slagle of Wellman; eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother and two sisters.

The Newton Daily News, Tuesday, February 18, 2003