Betty Lou Runke

Obituary

Betty Lou Runke was born on May 10, 1930, in rural Stewart, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Daniel and Hattie (Rasmussen) Getz. Betty was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. She attended the District 59 Country School in Round Grove Township, Minnesota, through the eighth grade.

On September 20, 1953, Betty was united in marriage to Walter Runke at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. This marriage was blessed with five children, Darlene, Reinhold, Diane, Robert and Donna. Betty and Walter resided in Boon Lake Township, Minnesota, and shared 31 years of marriage until Walter passed away on June 26, 1985.

Betty was a loving homemaker to her husband and children. She was also employed at Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Inc. in Hutchinson for five years. Betty was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township where she was a part of the Merry Martha Guild.

Betty enjoyed gardening, yard work, flowers, sewing quilts and raising chickens and ducks. She was very interested in genealogy. Betty especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.

Betty became a resident at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson on July 21, 2018. She passed away there on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at the age of 90 years. Blessed be her memory.

Betty is survived by her:
Children, Darlene Folger of Fridley, MN,
                  Diane Colombe and her husband, Greg, of Little Falls, MN,
                  Donna Knacke and her husband, Kim, of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Grandchildren, Tim and Mark Runke and Sara and Scott Colombe;
Great-Grandchildren, Marvin and Miles Runke;
Daughter-In-Law, Carol Runke of Hutchinson, MN;
Siblings, Delores Dalquist and her husband, Richard, of Randall, MN,
                 JoAnn Grissom of Dallas, TX,
                 Gerald Getz and his wife, Clarice, of St. Cloud, MN;
Brothers-In-Law, Douglas Beers of Minneapolis, MN,
                                 James Harrington of Long Prairie, MN;
Sister-In-Law, Linda Getz of Garfield, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her Parents, Daniel and Hattie Getz; Husband, Walter Runke; Sons, Reinhold Runke and Robert Runke (at six weeks); Grandson, Robert Colombe; Siblings, Donald (Lorraine) Getz, Elaine (Robert) Strom, Shirley Beers, Alice Harrington, Roger Getz and Gene Getz.