Paul Henry Runge was born on August 18, 1921 to John & Clara Runge in Sarpy County Nebraska.
He passed away at the Life Care Center of Elkhorn on May 2, 2016 at the age of 94.
Paul grew up on the family farm & attended school in Gretna graduating (with the help of his twin sister Phyllis) in 1938. After graduation he worked alongside his father on the farm. He also worked for Firestone Tire for several years.
On October 21, 1945 Paul married Helen Hansen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Omaha. To this union two children were born, Linda and Leslie. Paul & Helen raised their family on the farm and continued to live there until 1995 when they moved to their home on McKenna Street in Gretna. It is there that he continued his woodworking hobby. It was more than a hobby it was his life for a long time. He made many farm toy items for his grandson and furniture for others. He and Helen went to many craft shows where he sold his beautiful creations. He continued this hobby until he was almost 90 and then he started putting puzzles together. He was always ready for a trip to Iowa for a family birthday or holiday. He loved to see his grandkids and great grandkids. He enjoyed watching baseball and was a Kansas City Royals fan. He watched baseball because he said you could watch the game and know what was going on without hearing what the announcers were saying. He also enjoyed watching Nebraska Football.
In March of 2014 he had to give up his independent living alone and moved to Silver Ridge Assisted Living in Gretna. In January of 2016 he was forced to move to the Life Care Center in Elkhorn.
Paul is survived by his daughter Linda and husband Allen Steward, his son Les and his wife Denise Runge. His grandchildren Kimberly Brewer, Eric and wife Amanda Steward, Becky and husband Travis Burns, Casey & Steven Stark. His great grandkids Shelby & Ellie Brewer, Zach, Katie & Brady Steward, Tyler & Emily Burns. He is survived by a brother in law Virgil Neu and a sister in law Isabel Hansen and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 2009, a granddaughter Karla, a grandson in law Jeremy Brewer, his sisters and brother in laws Elaine & Wallace Sump, Wilma & Alvin Logemann and his twin sister Phyllis & Bill Logemann.
Visitation Sunday 3 – 5 PM Roeder Mortuary 11710 Standing Stone Gretna, NE. Funeral Service Monday (5/9/16) 11:00 AM Roeder Mortuary 11710 Standing Stone Gretna, NE. Interment Voss-Mohr Cemetery at Omaha, Nebraska. Memorials to the family to be determined later.
To Paul’s family
I am sorry to learn of Paul’s passing. I know that it must be painful for his family to lose him and they have my sympathy.
I am Paul’s first cousin. Roy Gramlich and I are the last surviving first cousins from Paul’s mother’s side of his family. My father and Paul’s mother were brother and sister. Paul and Roy and I are grandchildren of Claus and Henrietta Grell (who are also buried in Voss-Mohn cemetery)
I never met Paul . I lived in Millard until 1950 and then moved out of state. I have lived in the San Francisco Bay
area for the past 32 years. In the more recent years, Paul and I exchanged a few cards and letters. Paul wrote intelligently
constructed letters in a neat hand writing. He was a fine gentleman.
To the family members of Paul & Helen:
We are so grateful to our dear Lord Jesus & Good Shepherd, for Paul & Helen, and for all the ways God opened our eyes and heart to love, pray for, and share in their life together while they were our good neighbors on McKenna Avenue. We were privileged to get to know them both and had the joy of being with them over many years in their trials, decisions, concerns, hopes, and needs. Amid many discussions, the sharing of pictures, and getting to know much about their love for the farm, their love for music and dancing, Paul’s woodworking, Helen’s needlework and sewing, their opinions on various things, and the joy of knowing them, we saw the faithful and devoted love Paul had for Helen.
We were blessed to watch him care for Helen’s every need till she too fell asleep in this life. Paul was a strong man, so independent and determined to stay at home, caring for the house, cooking for her, keeping it clean for her, tending to her wounds, never leaving her side. And he was committed to help himself and do things to remain independent as long as possible even after Helen. When he knew he would have to give up his woodworking and knew it was not wise to go to the basement any longer, he was open to learning new ways to engage his mind and his hands. He learned to put puzzles together, enjoyed doing word puzzles, and he would find ways to exercise every day by walking up and down in his home counting and keeping track of his steps, going to the mailbox when he still could, exercising his arms, and even sitting in his driveway to watch the cars go by.
After Helen fell asleep he too longed to be with her in sleep. Though he loved baseball, it was truly Helen whom he loved. He missed the farm, kept track of the corn prices, had concerns about the politics of our day, and trusted Les and consulted with Linda about major decisions that needed to be made for his well being. Paul was open to receive help, and was always grateful. He enjoyed company and visitors. He smiled easily and was always ready to receive prayer. We never thought of Paul without remembering Helen. They were a true covenant couple who lived out their marriage vows amid a watching world.
Paul loved Duane’s art work, would visit his art studio and always seemed to notice how late Duane would wok at night seeing the light on in his studio. He loved flowers, and was amazed at how he could watch them grow in his own home, especially the amaryllis. He would talk openly with Kathie about some of his concerns and together they would talk about home health or aides that could help along with the home delivered meals.
He so enjoyed living in the small community of Gretna, where he knew the grocery store and pharmacy. Where he enjoyed driving and seeing the farm. We took him to the Space museum once and was amazed that he lived to see the planes up so close. We took him to Mahoney State Park for lunch and drove him all round to see how big it was. As a farmer, he was so committed to working the farm, he did not get out much to see other places, so he enjoyed new places and enjoyed riding in the country.
We are grateful to each of you as family members because you loved him and Helen, cared for them, appreciated them, and so cherished them both. You wanted what was best for them, and respected their need for independence and creativity, and only stepped in when it was most necessary. We are blessed with many of Paul’s pieces of woodworking. He knew we were people of faith, and he loved giving to us. Paul and Helen will forever ever be a part of our memories as long as we live. They enriched our life and gave us the joy of giving, helping, serving, and loving our neighbor as Jesus taught us.
May each one of you, Les & Denise, Linda & Allen, and all your children, and children’s children forever keep the memory of Helen and Paul alive in your heart. Though we all pass away, the memories we carry of people who have touched our lives help us all live better. May God bless you in your grief, and comfort you in your loss. May each of you draw closer to Jesus, for He is the only way, truth, and life. He is preparing a place for you. May you trust Him and love Him as you loved Helen & Paul. Love never dies, it only gets richer and deeper as it eventually transforms us into the image of Jesus Himself.
May Paul’s woodworking and Helen’s needlework inspire each of you to invest much time and thought in knowing and loving God. And may your love for each other carry you into the days ahead. As we think of them and remember them on their birthdays and their wedding anniversary, when we celebrate Gretna Days, Christmas and Easter, we will look to the heavens and give thanks to God that Paul and Helen spent time on earth with us all. May your memories be a blessing and a comfort to you. Thank you for your love and faithfulness to stand with Paul till he too fell asleep in this life. Our love and gratitude always…Kathie & Duane
To Paul’s family,
I became acquainted with Paul when I worked at the Gretna Public Library from summer of 2005 until early 2009 when he would often visit to check out books for Helen to read. His kindness and care for her as well as his smile and disposition when visiting the library always stuck out to me. One day we struck up a conversation and he told me of his love of woodworking with shared with me pictures of his creations. I was amazed at his talent and before I knew it be was offering to make something for me. To this day, his creation is on display at my parent’s house. 😊 I’m sorry to hear of his passing via the OWH. Please accept my condolences and I pray that memories provide sweet comfort during the time of mourning.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Please take notice of the promise at Acts 24:15, which says that there is going to be a resurrection. For this work, God longs to do it. (Job 14:14, 15) May these scriptures bring you a measure of comfort in your time of mourning.