Debra Runnebaum

Debra Kae Runnebaum, 64, of Axtell, Kan., died Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, Kan.Visitation was Friday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home in Axtell.A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Friday, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Axtell.Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 26, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Father Jim Shaughnessy officiated. The musicians were Kathy Buessing and Cheryl Reinecke. Music included “Amazing Grace”, “Be Not Afraid”, Precious Lord, Take My Hand”, “One Love Released” and “On Eagles Wings”.The pallbearers were Dave Koch, Barry Buessing, Joe Strathman, Dave Strathman, Rick Smith and Bob McKinley.The honorary pallbearers were all Deb's girls at Blue Valley Telecommunications.Burial was in the church cemetery.Deb was born on June 8, 1953 at Marysville, Kan., to Jack and Nora (Blackburn) Bergen. In 1971, she graduated from Marysville High School. On August 20, 1979, she was united in marriage to Jim Runnebaum at Las Vegas, Nev. They were blessed with two daughters, Renee and Rachel.Deb worked as a customer service representative for Blue Valley Telecommunications. She retired after twenty-three years as the Customer Service Supervisor. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael’s Guild and Order of the Eastern Star.Jim and Deb were foster parents to twenty-six children. She enjoyed riding horses, playing softball, camping, shopping and entertaining family and friends. She enjoyed all family gatherings and holidays were especially important. Shopping on Mother’s Day weekend and Black Friday, traveling to Las Vegas, Cancun and taking a cruise were her favorite activities. She also enjoyed the annual Runnebaum Girl’s weekend and annual Runnebaum camping trips.She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Bernard and Mary Louise Runnebaum; and brothers-in-law, Mike Larson and Eugene Runnebaum.Survivors include her husband, James; daughters, Renee (Shannon) Gibson, Marysville, and Rachel Runnebaum, Axtell; sisters, Marsha Larson and Lori Runnebaum, both of Waterville, and Jill (Rex) Estes, Marysville; and one grandchild, Taylor Gibson, White City, Kan.A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Debra Runnebaum, please visit our flower store.