Dean A. Runke

Obituary

Dean Arthur Runke was born on December 22, 1965, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was the son of George and Shirley (Rittgers) Runke. He was made a child of God and an heir of everlasting life in Heaven by means of Holy Baptism on January 30, 1966, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township, Minnesota, by Reverend Wetzstein. Dean was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 12, 1980, by Pastor Vogil at St. John’s Lutheran Church. He received his education at St. John’s Lutheran Church until the eighth grade, then going onto Cosmos High School and was a graduate with the class of 1984. Dean then furthered his education at Pipestone Vocational School, achieving a degree in Accounting.

Over the years, he was employed as an over the road truck driver and later on when he was not able to work, did odd jobs in the Hutchinson area.

Dean liked to go fishing with his father and friends and doing carpenter work. He also enjoyed spending time with his parakeet birds that he made a home for in his apartment.

Dean passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 53 years. Blessed be his memory.

Dean is survived by his:
Daughter, Sharlae Hanson and her husband, Jeremy, of Oshkosh, WI;
Grandchildren, Brinley Willmer, Linkyn Hanson;
Parents, George Runke Jr. and his wife, Shirley, of Cosmos, MN;
Sisters, Debra Doesken and her husband, Mark, of Derby, KS,
              Darla Hansen and her husband, Mike, of Hutchinson, MN;
Brother, Dale Runke and his fiancée, Jackie Russel, of Ocala, FL;
Sister-In-Law, Michelle Runke of Fort Smith, AR;
Many aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Dean is preceded in death by his Brother, Daniel Runke; Grandparents, George and Rachel Runke, William and Annette Rittgers; Aunt, Shirley Runke; Uncles, Willard Runke, David Rittgers.