Edna Mae Mabel (Stover) Runneberg

TILLBERG, STOVER, JARRETT, SWENSON, BURKMIRE

Posted By: Chuck Runneberg (email)
Date: 7/18/2010 at 16:48:41

Edna Mae Mabel Stover was born May 18, 1914 in Salina, Kansas to Harry G. and Emma (Tillberg) Stover. She was educated at a country school near Hedville, Kansas, completing the eighth grade. Edna Mae was only twelve years old when her mother passed away after the birth of her fourth child. Her father married Elvera Swenson two years later. Edna Mae married Carl William Ellis Runneberg on February 5, 1936, in Salina. She was introduced to Iowa winters when her new husband brought her to northwest Iowa during the harsh blizzard of 1936. They settled on a farm about seven miles northeast of Laurens, farming crops and raising livestock and poultry. When her husband's health deteriorated in 1966, they moved to town with their youngest daughter who was still in high school. Edna Mae worked for many years for Dr. Kurt Sunner and then for the local veterinarian, Dwight VanGenderen. She lived in her own home on Lake Street until her death. She also was a great cook and Swedish rye bread was one of her specialties. She loved gardening, crocheting, embroidering and fishing and playing cards with friends. She was a truly extraordinary woman who will be greatly missed by her family.
Edna Mae was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church and the Happy Hour Club. She enjoyed fishing, traveling crocheting and tending her flower and vegetable garden.
She is survived by her five children, Jerry (Mary) Runneberg, Luverne (Janet) Runneberg, of Laurens, Elaine (Norm-deceased) Jarrett, Goshen, In., Eileen (Edwin) Burkmire, Elkhart, In., Sheryl Runneberg of Spencer, 22 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, five great greatgrandchildren, brother, George (Carolyn) Stover, of Overland Park, KS and sister-in-law, Pat Stover of Miami Springs, FL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl, brother Elmer, her sister Ellen and brother-in-law, Joe.