Edna Runge, 94

Edna Johanna Runge, 94, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2011, in her home of 64 years. She was born July 3, 1916, in Hazard, Neb., to William and Cora (Smith) Albers.

She was the youngest of six children and was raised by Roland and Kathryn Hendrickson in Loup City, Neb. She grew up in Nebraska and taught school in a one-room schoolhouse after graduating from Loup City High School. She married Floyd Runge on June 29, 1937. They lived in Carter Lake, Iowa, and Hale, Mo., before coming to Coeur d'Alene in 1946. They started Runge Furniture that same year.

Edna was involved with her children's lives with PTA, Bluebirds and Campfire Girls, and also driving her sons so they could hunt and fish. She was active in the Lady Lions group and loved music, having played the violin and piano when she was young. Floyd and Edna loved to travel and they would take their trailer to the beautiful rivers and fly fish. They traveled to New Zealand and Hawaii many times. They also loved horses and ranch life, going to Arizona in the winter and painting the beautiful Arizona scenes. But most of all she loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family meant the most to her. As a testimony to the effect she had on her former students, one of them called to check on her the last time in 2009. He never forgot her!

Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd in 2003.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, John D. and Nancy Runge and Jim L. and Donna Runge; her daughter, Petty Gleason; grandchildren, John F. Runge, Jim Gleason, Kristine Brewer, Patti Colter, Karen Hill, Teresa Runge James, Jeffrey Runge, Trina Wecker and Teri Runge Nipp; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Edna Richards; and a niece, Jeannie Sullivan.

The family would like to give a special "thank you" to her caregivers from August Home Health and to Hospice of North Idaho. We will miss you, Mom. You will forever be in our hearts.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, with a reception following at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery.

The family prefers memorials to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

You may visit Edna's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.