Carla Runkel

April 29, 2007

Carla Runkel

Service Details

Carla Jean Schimmel Runkel, born Sunday, June 3, 1934 left this world to go onto the next, during this Easter season, Sunday, April 29, 2007.
Carla Jean was a little bit of sunshine in many lives. She was a child of God, a wife, a sister, a cousin, a mom, a grandma, a friend, and a teacher to all. She touched the lives and hearts of everyone she met.
She is loved very much by those who survive her; her husband, Ramon; her six children, Marta Wallace, Nathan (Tracy) Runkel, Sarah (Zev Sunleaf) Runkel, Timothy (Angela) Runkel, Karisa Runkel, and Beth Martin; her 14 grandchildren, Skylar, Sand, Jordan, Emily, Danielle, Rachael, Izaak, Sydney, Olaf, Caleb, Alexandria, Carlson, Samuel, and George; her sister Floy (Morry) Dalton; her sisters-in-law Prasannata Runkel & Marilyn Hemstead, and her brothers-in-law, Tom (Pat) Runkel, Jon (Joline) Runkel, & Jeff (Lydia) Runkel. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Erv & Esther Schimmel.
Carla grew up in White Water, Wisconsin and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she sang in the choir and met her husband of 51 years. Before having children, Carla taught English in Osseo, Minnesota. While raising her six children, she taught preschool at Wakonda Christian Church for 23 years and at the Des Moines Science Center for an additional three years. She was also a substitute teacher for the Des Moines Public School system. Carla was very active all of her life. She was a member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and involved at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was a PTA mover and shaker, a traveler, singer, and seamstress, and a Red Hat Society member. She attended every show, game and event of her children and grandchildren. Carla is fondly remembered for hosting an annual St. Lucia Day celebration for the last 46 years.
Per her wishes, her body has been donated to Iowa Donor Network. The Runkel family would like to thank everyone that has sent their thoughts and prayers during this time of grief.
There will be a memorial visitation from 4 to 6 on Friday, May 4th at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 SW 9 th, Des Moines.
A memorial service and reception celebrating her life will be at 10 am on Saturday, May 5th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Keo Way & 6th, Des Moines.
Donations in honor of Carla may be made to either The Arts at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 600 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 or Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 SW 9th, Des Moines, IA 50315.

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