Obituary of Kathryn Runner

Kathryn Runner, formerly of Boalsburg, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at Centre Crest Nursing Home in Bellefonte.

She was born Kathryn Virginia Wanner on June 12, 1919, the only child of Ivan and Rhea Wanner, in Reading. She graduated from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh in 1937 and went on to graduate from Albright College, where she met Marvin Runner, whom she married in 1943.

As a pastor's wife in Williamsport, Kathryn taught classes and organized the church social events and youth groups. She began her teaching career at Woodward Township Elementary School, teaching first grade in 1953 and 1954. After receiving her M.A. at Penn State, she taught first and second grades at Easterly Parkway Elementary School until 1970.

She was an active minister's wife from 1954 to 1960, the years her husband served the United Methodist churches in Houserville, Valley View, Buffalo Run and Woodycrest. Kathryn maintained an active retirement. She took up weaving and was a member of the State College Weaver's Guild. Also among her many interests were reading, playing the piano, birding, hiking and traveling. With her family, Kathryn traveled through the provinces of Canada and to nearly every state in the U.S. With her husband, she traveled several times to Europe and to Indonesia. Kathryn believed in the goodness of all people and lived her life in the service of others.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2004 and is survived by her sons, James (Dixie Hansen), of Spring Mills, and John (Kathleen Kehoe), of Santa Fe, N.M.; two step-grandchildren, Erica Svec (Zach Wollard), of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Yuri Svec (Jenn Dietloff), of Ames, Iowa; and a step-great-grandson, Cassius Wollard.

A memorial service will be held for Kathryn at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at the Frank Chapel in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 109 McAllister St., State College.

The family is grateful for the professional and loving care Kathryn received at Stanton Court, Centre Crest. Memorial contributions may be made to Stanton Court, Centre Crest, 502 E. Howard St., Bellefonte, PA 16823; or to Asera Care Hospice, 1015 Logan Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602. On memo, please write "In memory of Kathryn Runner."

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College.