Melvin Arnold Runneberg

ALBORN, LATHROP, KORRECT, RAGALLER, HAGEDORN, WASHBURN

Posted By: Chuck Runneberg (email)
Date: 7/18/2010 at 17:07:15

Melvin Runneberg, age 83, died on September 18, 2008, at Pocahontas, Iowa.
Melvin Arnold Runneberg was born on January 10, 1925, in Booth Township, near Laurens. He was the son of Arnold and Kathryn (Alborn) Runneberg. Melvin began his education at the Mackie School in Booth Twp. His family later moved to a farm near Rossie. He graduated from Rossie High School in 1942. His family later moved to a Runeberg farm North-east of Laurens. On June 19, 1949, Melvin married Dorothy Lathrop at Havelock. The couple farmed near Rush Lake until 1968, when they moved to their farm near Laurens. Melvin was a seed dealer for various seed companies from 1975 -1999, most recently for Pioneer Hi-bred seeds. He semi-retired several years ago and continued to help on the farm. Melvin and Dorothy moved into Laurens in April of this year.
Melvin was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Fishermen. He was a 50-year member of the Grace Lodge #519 A.M. & P.M. and the Eastern Star, he was a past president of the Co-op Board and the Laurens School Board. Melvin was the Swan Lake Twp. trustee and was active in the Pocahontas County Historical Society and the North-west Iowa Honey Producers Assn. After his retirement, Melvin took care of his apple trees and honeybees. He enjoyed travel and woodworking in his spare time.
Survivors include his wife: Dorothy; children: James (Mary) Runneberg of Laurens, Mary (Steve) Korrect of Bettendorf, Janis (Dana) Ragaller of Rockford, IL and David (Cheryl) Runneberg Roanoke, TX; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren sisters: LaVon Hagedorn of Scottsdale, AZ and Marilyn (Lloyd) Washburn of Isle, MN and many cousins and nieces and nephews. His parents and his brother-in-law, Wesley Hagedorn, preceded Melvin in death.