Reverend Dr. Ramon Allyn Runkel
August 03, 2015
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Service Details
Rev. Dr. Ramon Allyn Runkel, 84, passed away Monday, August 3, 2015 at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames, Iowa.
Ramon Allyn Runkel was born in the fall of 1930 to the proud parents Sylvan and Beaulah Runkel, into a large extended family of many loving, aunts, uncles, cousins and loving grandparents. He was baptized on Christmas Eve, which was the start of his spiritual life journey in the Lutheran Church.
Church was a big part of his early life with confirmation, bible camps, Luther League and his decision to attend, St. Olaf College. Ray “Rabbit” Runkel was also an accomplished athlete, setting records for track at Ames High, turning down a full football scholarship at Iowa State, becoming a college football star, and captain of both the football team and the track team at St. Olaf.
Weighing the decision of a career in Industrial Chemistry while at St. Olaf, and after reflecting what “God’s Will” was for him in life, a loud voice inside said, “You are my son!” bringing peace to the direction for him to go into ministry and the “sense of everything being right,” in his life. It’s a decision that Ray and many others are glad he made.
Ray attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and started his family with his marriage to Carla Jean, June 17, 1956. In 1957, Ray was ordained at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall, Iowa on June 16 and later that year, welcomed their first of six children to the growing family.
Ray strived to reach those in-need and often put others before himself. His first calling was as an Associate Pastor at an inner-city Mission in the Twin Cities. During this time he started his work on a Master’s of Theology in Pastoral Care (CPE program with youth). After two years, the family moved to a parish in Wisconsin-Illinois, where they lived for five years and added two more children to the clan. His next calling was a Chaplain position in Plankinton, South Dakota at the State Training School for Boys and Girls, where they had three more children to complete the Runkel Clan.
In 1968, Ray moved his family back to his roots in Iowa, taking a position as the Director of Chaplains for Lutheran Social Services for the next 30+ years. He developed the Chaplaincy Programs through out the state, working closely with prisons and hospitals, counseling chaplains in this challenging call. Throughout those years and into his retirement (1997), he served as an interim pastor for multiple congregations and was a welcomed preacher in churches of many denominations, as well as serving on the board of directors for Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach for Iowa.
After a few years of his first retirement, Ray’s compassion to help others in need, brought him to St. John’s Lutheran Church as the Visitation Pastor, where he attended to those in the hospital and those unable to attend church due to illness and health reasons.
Ramon received the “Christus in Mundo” or “Christ in the World” Award in 2004, which is the highest award given for distinctive services for Ministries in Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counseling, and Clinical Education. In April 2007, he lost his wife Carla, of 51 years. Then in August of 2008, he married long-time dear friend, Mary Jane Pearson, in a joyful celebration uniting the Runkel and Pearson families!
He finally retired for a second time in 2012. His dreams of traveling the globe to places like New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Normandy, France, and all over the United States, with his wife, Mary Jane, came true…. enriching his already full life.
Ray was a person who knew no strangers, everywhere he traveled, he always knew somebody! He was always up for a Road trip and “swinging by” somewhere to reconnect with dear friends or just for the adventure. He was a man full of energy, vigor, spunk, and eclectic interests which was evident in his many passions and loves; car collector, die-hard sports and Packer fan, music lover, lover of history and historical sites, farmer, avid conservationist, bee keeper, nature lover, antique collector, horse and pony lover- owning over a dozen, and dog lover! Ray thoroughly enjoyed his family and hosting big gatherings at the Runkel homestead. He loved celebrating every holiday and birthday and special occasion for every child, grandchild, and great grand kid. He attended every sports event, concert, play, and dance recital that any of his kids and grandkids were a part of, at a moments notice.
To know Ray, you knew he was an entertaining storyteller, silly songwriter, enthusiastic singer, always inviting and welcoming everyone into his life, sharing and exposing all around him to new adventures and his positive outlook on life!
He never turned away anyone that wanted to talk or needed support or counsel or just a listening ear. His sense of humor, charm, wit, and that twinkle in his green eyes will be missed dearly!
May the Lord bless you, Ray, and keep you. May the Lord lift his face to shine upon you and give you peace, Amen.
PS. We see the water tower…right over there!
Ramon is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane Pearson; children, Marta Wallace, Nathan Runkel, Sarah (Zev Sunleaf) Runkel, Timothy (Angela) Runkel, Karisa Runkel, Beth Anne Martin, Jane Beeman, Bryan (Kim) Pearson, Todd (Bethanne) Pearson and Julie (Joel) Utterback; step-mother, Bernadine Runkel; his sister, Prassannata Runkel; and brothers, Tom (Pat) Runkel, Jon (Jolene) Runkel and Jeff Runkel; 23 grandchildren, Jordan Wallace, Skylar Runkel, Sand Runkel, Danielle Burns, Izaak Sunleaf, Olaf Sunleaf, Carlson Sunleaf, Sydney Runkel, Caleb Runkel, Alexandria Runkel, Sam Runkel, George Runkel, Emily Martin, Rachael Martin-Belding, Joel Beeman, Scott Beeman, Monica Pearson, Morgan Pearson, Griffin Pearson, Erik Pearson, Phillip Pearson, Kelsey Utterback and Dylan Utterback; seven great-grandchildren, Cecilia, Amelia, Darrell, Johnny, Lucy, Teddy and Elliott; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and beloved friends.
His wife, Carla Jean Runkel; parents, Sylvan and Beulah Runkel; sister, Marilyn Hemstad; and her husband, Richard Hemstad, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2015 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 SW 9th Street. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 8th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 600 6th Avenue.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Riverside Bible Camp, 3001 Riverside Rd., Story City, Iowa 50248; Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108; Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 SW 9th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50315; The Arts at St John’s Lutheran, 600 6th Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50309; Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 505 6th Ave, #444, Des Moines, IA 50309 or Wilderness Canoe Base, 12477 Gunflint Trail Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Ray and Kay Reasoner
08/29/2015
With Deepest Sympathy in the loss of your family member.
Ellen Hanusa Wonderlin
08/10/2015
We have been out of time and were unable to attend Ray's service, but want you to know you have my deepest sympathy. He was a good egg and I enjoyed knowing him, especially our work together for criminal justice through Micah Corp. May you find comfort in the hope of the resurrection and the many good memories you have.
Roberta M Nelson
08/08/2015
To the family of Rev Rinkel my Prayers and Sympathy are with you at this sad time. I first met Ramon at our Sons of Norway meeting. He was a very delightful person to talk too. May he now rest in Peace with our Father in Heaven. Roberta (Bobbie) Nelson
Ken & Lolita Ditzler
08/08/2015
We enjoyed the time Rev. Runkel served as pastor in Durand, IL, and Brodhead, WI, especially while Ken served on the council of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Ed and Dianne Zaiser
08/07/2015
Our friendship with Ray and Carla go back to 1968. We were invited to join a book club initiated by Ray and Carla. The first book was THE LISTENER. The men proceeded to so dominate the conversation that the women couldn't get a word in. We laughed many times at the egg on our faces as to how not to be good listeners. So many times come to memory, like apple juice making, St Lucia, the Christmas letter, Ray and Earl Eidbo and myself making lefsa. There were the many years at Good Shepherd, Cursillo, and the Pastor's group at Lutheran Hospital. I think of the times we stood together on church and social issues. He was my mentor on pastoral care. We are so appreciative of his friendship and leadership in clinical pastoral care in the state of Iowa. While we moved on from Des Moines, we were able to stay in touch a bit, like coming to the fiftieth wedding anniversary in the Minnesota Arrow Head country. Ray and Mary Jane stopped to visit us when Ray was exploring his father's time in northern Wisconsin. Ray, we have missed since leaving Iowa and now we miss you all the more. Thank you for being our friend and companion on our life journey. We cannot be present at the funeral because of family commitments. Greetings to family and friends.
Carol Belding Jepson
08/07/2015
I have been touched to have Rev. Runkel and family in my life since I was 11 years old. I spent a many happy hour at the Runkel home and was always in awe of the spiritualism there and how a large family can be so, "together". I miss seeing Rev. Runkel at my old job at Lutheran Service in Iowa, as it was always a joy when I saw him there. I will never forget his willingness to officiate the renewing of my wedding vows for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The man is a Saint to be sure. He will be greatly missed and was very loved by all. My heart goes out to family and friends and know that the Lord is smiling down on all and that healing energy is coming your way.
arthur f schanche, m.d.
08/07/2015
Ray was a friend of mine as a child. I remember doing the 14 mile hike with him when we were Boy Scouts. He was a superb athlete when we were in Ames High School, and it was so nice to see him a few months ago at our AHS 65th Reunion for the class of 1950. He was so caring for my sister, Marie Hart, and my brother in law John Hart last year as John was in the process of dying. And he led us in the burial service for John. He was much loved and respected for a life of outstanding service. The world is a better place, thanks to him.. RIP, Ray......
JoAnn & Bud Wellsandt
08/07/2015
We want to send our condolences to all of Ray's family. You were always so very important to him at every stage of life. We were privileged to work with Ray as part of Lutheran Social Service Ministries, as fellow members of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and during the writing and editing of his doctoral dissertation. We spent many long and enjoyable evenings working on it.
Ray truly did an amazing amount of good in this world. He will be greatly missed.
The Rev. Judith E. Simonson
08/07/2015
I was honored to work with Pr. Runkel in the ELCA. We are all indebted to him for the high standards he upheld for chaplains and others in specialized ministry.
Sharon Nuss Custer
08/07/2015
My condolences to Pastor Runkel's family. I have many fond memories of him and his family when he served Trinity Lutheran Church in Durand, Illinois, many, many years ago.
Chaplain Mark Jacobs
08/06/2015
Ray has a very historical place at Broadlawns Medical Center. He started and instituted the Chaplaincy program here. Without Ray Runkel I don't believe that there would have ever been a chaplain at Broadlawns. My first go around as chaplain here at Broadlawns Ray was one of the persons who interviewed me and then as I worked really was a mentor to me. There were many an evening in the fall spent at his house making fresh apple cider and talking "shop". Everyone wants to make a diference in this world and Ray Runkel did.
Todd and Sue Tew-Warming
08/05/2015
May God's peace, love and light surround you all. We loved his laughter, humor, caring and spirited conversations. We will always remember when he performed our marriage ceremony in 2011 - at one point he said 'Can I get an Amen'... Amen Pastor Ray, Amen.
Myron & Kim Benton Herzberg
08/05/2015
We extend our Christian sympathy to each of you. Kim remembers Ray's welcome and support throughout her years of service at LSS. Myron remembers Ray's faithful visits to Nevada and Aunt Iva Nygaard. Ray's deep faith in God and compassion for others was a gift to many generations. May God grant you peace.
Michael Last
08/05/2015
I offer my sympathy to Ray's family and close friends. I was more an acquaintance than close colleague. But through the years Ray always went out of his way to say hello and check in on my ministry. He was most encouraging. Later as bishop, through stormy times, Ray occasionally would drop a note of encouragement or catch me in the hall to inquire as to my well being.
I am confident I was only one of many to whom he offered his gracious support and concern. And because of such, he will be missed by a great many others.
Wendy Havemann
08/05/2015
Mark and I send our deepest sympathy and many prayers. He was a man of Grace and God. I can see he, Carla and my dad having a great time catching up in Heaven. Love to you all.