Service Information
Reinhold Runke, age 64, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021, at his home in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills, with interment in the church cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be Monday, April 12, 2021, from 4:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.
In honor of Reinhold, please dress in casual clothing or T shirts.
Memorials preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Youth Group or St. John’s Lutheran Sunday School.
Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Obituary
Reinhold Walter Runke was born on December 4, 1956, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was the son of Walter and Betty (Getz) Runke. Reinhold was baptized as an infant on December 23, 1956, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 23, 1971, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township, rural Hutchinson, Minnesota. He received his education at St. John’s Lutheran School for eight years, the Hutchinson High School for two years and then the Buffalo Lake High School for two years where he graduated with the Class of 1975 and was the class Valedictorian. Reinhold furthered his education at Concordia University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, for one year. He then transferred to Ridgewater College in Hutchinson where he earned his Accounting Degree.
Reinhold resided in Boon Lake Township, Minnesota, for most of his life. On April 5, 2003, Reinhold was united in marriage to Carol (Dobberstein) Wettstaedt at St. John’s Lutheran Church. This marriage was united with two stepchildren, Megan and Sarah Wettstaedt. Reinhold and Carol moved to Hutchinson in 2013 and shared 18 years of marriage together.
Reinhold farmed a majority of his life with his dad and uncles. Besides farming, he sampled pea and sweetcorn fields for Seneca, formerly known as Green Giant. He was in charge of a detasseling crew in which they detasseled seed corn. Reinhold was employed at Menards, Shopko, and Target in Hutchinson. He took great pride in driving school bus for St. John’s Lutheran School and the Hutchinson School District. Reinhold was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills Township where he was on the School Board for St. John’s Lutheran School and was a Sunday school teacher for several years. He was also a member of the Boon Lake Township Board, a former member of the Cedar Mills Lions, and a lifetime member of the Cedar Mills Rod and Gun Club. He bowled ten years for Hutch Fire and Safety and was a member of the Kwik Trip coffee crew.
Reinhold enjoyed playing softball and umpiring, playing cards, fishing, and socializing at birthday parties. He also enjoyed driving around the country and visiting farmers, neighbors and friends. Reinhold was proud to host the annual Memorial Day party for his neighbors and friends. He enjoyed wintering in Florida and traveling with friends. He was proud to be able to travel to Jamaica on a mission trip. Family was very important to Reinhold and cherished the time spent with them.
Reinhold passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at his home in Hutchinson, at the age of 64 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Reinhold is survived by his:
Mother, Betty Runke of Hutchinson, MN;
Wife, Carol Runke of Hutchinson, MN;
Stepchildren, Megan Wettstaedt,
Sarah Brennan and her husband, Jim, of Rosemount, MN;
Step Grandchildren, Ben Brennan and Connor Brennan;
Nephews, Mark Runke and his girlfriend, Taylor Lee, Stewart, MN,
Tim Runke of Coon Rapids, MN,
Scott Colombe of Redwood Falls, MN;
Niece, Sara Colombe of Hoven, SD;
Siblings, 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;
Mother-In-Law, Meridee Dobberstein of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Brothers and Sisters-In-Law, Nancy VanderVoort and her husband, Bill, of Hector, MN,
Brad Dobberstein and his wife, Rhonda, of Buffalo Lake, MN,
Jean Grimm and her husband, Charlie, of Stewart, MN,
Jody Weis and her husband, Curt, of Bird Island, MN,
Jay Dobberstein and his wife, Jenaya, of Normandy Park, WA;
Many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Reinhold is preceded in death by his Father, Walter Runke; Brother, Robert Runke; Father-In-Law, Lea Dobberstein; many Aunts and Uncles.
Paul J Meyer says
Reinhold was a big man with an even bigger heart. You’d think his size would’ve intimidated the kids he drove to and from school every day on the school bus, but they could see right through his rough exterior and knew he was as gentle as anyone could be. He treated all the kids as if they were all his own. He brightened up the bus garage whenever he was there. We really missed him when he retired. All of the drivers remember Reinhold deeply and with a soft spot in our hearts for him. May God speed good friend.
Kathy Uecker says
Carol, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dan Gueningsman says
Condolences to the Runke family!!!
God Bless!!!
Dan Gueningsman
Janice Heintz says
So sorry for your loss
Mary Deinken says
Dar, so sorry to hear about your brother. Gone way to soon. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Andy Koenig says
Dear Carol~~~
I am so sorry for the sudden loss of your dear husband. I read it on your FaceBook page. Life changes so quickly.
Seems you were just in Florida. May God hold you close and give you that peace that passes all understanding. Take care of yourself. Hoping to see you the summer
In friendship~~~
Andy Koenig
Dianne Rath says
My sincerest condolences. Prayers sent your way.
Marissa says
Thanks for all the great memories riding the bus home, you made middle school a lot easier, you’ll be missed.
ERIKA HOVERSTEN says
Carol & family, Dick and I are so very sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time.
Cherish the memories!
Dick and Erika Hoversten.
Doug and Sandy Grussing says
Carol, we are so sorry to hear of your loss.
Jessica Tuttle says
I have fond memories of Reinhold (along with Randy S.) teaching many of the love softball at the Cedar Mills Gun Club. He had a wonderful way of teaching me skills and the love of the game…there were no winners or losers just playing for fun!
Nathan Cook says
So very sad to see an old friend has passed. Reiny was in HAVTI at the same time I was. We were involved in Student Senate and intramural sports. He was a great guy. In later years he was an umpire for Hutch Softball and I had the chance to argue a few calls with him. I wish I could find some of the pictures I took while we were in school. I had some classics. Rest In Peace Reiny.
janet plath says
Prayers and Peace to Carol, daughters and family.
Pat Wolleat says
Lots of young people will miss his presence. Enjoyed having him at Breezy Point for family reunions.
Troy Kurth says
I give you my deepest sympathy on passing of rhienold. May god bless you during this very difficult time
Karen Hoffmann says
Betty, Carol & entire Runke family,
Sending our sympathy & remembering all of you in our thoughts & prayers. I remember Reinhold from church days & softball days. He was so kind, always said hi when he saw you & always had time to talk. May you find strength from wonderful memories & the love of family & friends. May God Bless all of you & his memory!
Karen & Larry Hoffmannn
Verlyce French says
Sympathy to Carol and the Runke family,
Keeping you in my prayers.
Eric Rieger says
My condolences to his family. I got to know Reinhold over the years. He used to come into Cashwise in the early mornings and we would give each other crap. He would tell me stories how he kept the kids in line on the bus. He was a good guy, and always had a good story to tell or a snippy comment to see if you were paying attention. I will miss our early morning BSing and calling him Santa Claus in the wintertime. RIP buddy.
Elaine and Kevin Kahle says
Oh Carol, we are so sorry to hear of Reiny’s passing. We have many good memories of softball tourneys together. He was a really good guy and we are so, so sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort and peace. Kevin and Elaine Kahle
Verlinda says
Carol,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Verlinda
hans Geier says
Oh Carol, God bless you. I will always remember riding on the bus with him in high school…and all the rest of the Boon Lake kids. Runkes, Karls, Rath, etc. So long ago and far away. I remember him like yesterday. Rest in Peace, Rheiny.
Carla Ryti says
Sympathies and prayers to the Runke family.
Paula Richards Kurtz says
Thoughts and prayers . Peace be with you all.
Bev Goetz Barth says
I’m so sorry to find this sad news today, knowing earlier I would have come and paid my respects to my cousin, and his family. You have my sympathy and please pass this on to Betty.
Corey Ohnstad says
So very sad to hear of Reinhold’s passing. He was the best bus driver and always took care of us St. John’s kids very well back in the 80s. I remember a time when our bus got stuck in the snow out in the middle of nowhere (so it seemed to me). He had to go get help, but wanted to make sure that the old bus kept running, so he showed me how to keep it running while he ran to get us help. Long story short, I failed and it quit running, but Reinhold was back quickly with help! He was a great and kind man and will be missed.