John Henry Frederick "Fred" Runge, Sr

RUNGE, WURBEN WIEBERN, WOLTERS

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 2/13/2016 at 06:34:30

FARMER ENDS LIFE WITH ROPE

Despondent Over Ill Health Frederick Runge, Sr. Hangs Self

A respected pioneer. of this community where he has been engaged in active farming for over 40 years, Frederick Runge, Sr., aged 70 years, residing six miles' southeast of Paullina, ended his life by hanging Tuesday morning at about nine o'clock. Mr. Runge used a piece of clothes line which he fastened to the top hinge of the bathroom door and there took his own life without a second's warning to any member of his family who were nearby. Mr Runge has been ill for the past year with an attack of diabetes and of late has been suffering from a critical illness. Becoming despondent over his physical condition is the cause for his rash act so it is reported by those close to him. When entering the bathroom he locked the door from the inside so that it was necessary for members of the family to gain entrance to the room from the outer window.

Dr Geo. C. Oldag of Paullina was called by the family as soon as they discovered something wrong. He in turn called the County Coroner Dr Avery of Primghar, who pronounced it a plain case of suicide. Surviving Mr. Runge are his wife and several children who mourn the great shock of the loss of their beloved husband and father so suddenly.

At this writing the day for the funeral had not yet been arranged, but it will be held from the Runge home. Mr. Runge was well and favorably known in Paullina and surrounding territory and his sudden death was a shocking bit of news. A complete obituary will be printed in the Times next week.

Paullina Times, Paullina, Iowa, May 5, 1932, P1

========================

Obituary of Frederick Runge, Sr.

John Henry Frederick Runge Sr. was born December 24th, 1861 in Hanover, Germany and died May 3, 1932, at his farm home. In 1888 Mr. Runge came to America and settled in O'Brien county, Iowa. In 1889 his wife and family followed him to their new home. This union was blessed with five daughters and one son. The son dying at the age of 3 years.

In the year 1900, his wife [Dorothea "Dora" Wurben, Wiebern] passed away. On August 3, 1903, he married again to Anna Wolters and to this union eight children were born, five daughters and three sons. One son died in infancy.

He leaves his wife and family and a host of friends and relatives. Interment was made in Liberty township cemetery, May 6th. Rev. Wuebben officiated.

Paullina Times, Paullina, Iowa, May 12, 1932, P 5