Donald Runner

Donald Runner 84, of rural Gilman, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Israel Hospice House in Ames, Iowa surrounded by his family.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com . Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Don and his family. Phone 641-844-1234.Donald Leroy Runner was born on July 10, 1927 at home in rural Marshall County, he was the son of Chester Dale and Marie Agnes (Louks) Runner. Don attended school in the Laurel School District, then served our Country honorably in the United States Navy returning and graduating with the class of 1947. On September 16, 1949 Donald was united in marriage to Beatrice Anderson in Rock Island, Illinois. They farmed their rural Jasper county farm for 60 plus years, with farming running through his blood till the very end. Don was a member of the Farm Bureau, Iowa Cattlemans Association and Graceland Cemetery Association and he enjoyed coffee with the neighbors in town. Donald will be remembered for his storytelling, his jokes and his love of hard work each and every day. The two most important things in Dons life were his family and the farm.Left to cherish Dons memory is his wife of 62 years Beatrice, his children; Janet (Kenny) Hutcheson of Indianola, Iowa, David (Jane) Runner of Gilman, and Judith (Steve) Carter of Ames, six grandchildren; Brandon Hutcheson, Jennifer Christensen, Andrea Gomez, Daniel Runner, Erin Wight and Lisa Carter and 14 great-grandchildren.In death Don rejoins his parents; Chester and Marie, his children; Richard and Danial in infancy and a son Donald Dean Butch Runner and a grandson; Tom Runner, Dons siblings; Charles, Alfred and Mary Wilfong.