Glendonald “Bud” Runyan, 94, of Falls City, passed away December 27, 2018. He was born July 22, 1924, one and a half miles north of Barada, to Don and Frieda “Fritz” (Kammerer) Runyan. He was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on November 9, 1924, and also later confirmed there.
Bud graduated 8th grade from Cottier School, then from Falls City High School in 1942. After high school, he farmed until he was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1945. He had basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii where he was a weather observer and radio operator for one year. He was a corporal and was decorated with an Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and received a Victory Medal. He then returned home to farming. On June 19, 1949, he married Gertrude Biedenweg at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, rural Falls City. Gertie passed away November 2, 2014. Bud was a member of St. Peter’s church and served on many boards. He was a former member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Brotherhood. This past March, the Shubert American Legion Post #222 honored Bud with a certificate for 70 years of continuous membership. Bud really enjoyed farming. He designed and built several pieces of farm machinery including numerous planters and detasseling equipment. If something was broken, he would always try to fix it to keep it running. He also worked on the Meriwether Lewis Dredge on the Missouri River.
Bud is survived by a sister, Nelle Pfister; children, Roxann (Mark) Stitzer of Salem, Don (Becky) Runyan, Joni Milam, all of rural Falls City, and Gaye Runyan of Nebraska City. Grandchildren, Staci (Derek) Deger of Firth, NE, Judd (Jamie) Milam of Falls City, Darcy (Paul) Demmel of Chicago, IL, Brooke (Brian) Adam of Lincoln, NE, Jace (Amanda) Milam of Salem, MO, Andy Runyan of York, NE, Courtney (Byron) Anway of Lincoln, NE and Maggie Ochsner of Orange, CA. Great-grandchildren, Drake and Gage Deger, Braiden Gapsch, Baylee and Brynlee Adam, Ellie Milam, Amalia Demmel, Parker Milam, Ashlyn, and Jaelyn Milam, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister at birth and a son-in-law, Steve Milam.
His funeral was held on Monday, December 31, 2018, at 10:30 AM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, northeast of Falls City, with Pastor Jerry Yount officiating. Interment was in Williamsville Cemetery. Military graveside honors by Shubert American Legion assisted by the Falls City Ceremonial Honor Guard.
The family received friends on Sunday from 3-4:00 PM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.
