Ida O. Runge

Ida Runge, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Her final days were spent at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, formerly known as Charles E. Still Hospital where Ida coincidentally spent 31 years working as an RN.

Ida grew up in Washington, Missouri and graduated from high school in 1956. From there, she attended Missouri Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Saint Louis, where she graduated second in her class in 1959. Right after graduation she married the love of her life, Edwin Runge, and then moved to Belle to join him on the century family farm and started her nursing career in Jefferson City. She retired 31 years later in 1993 but kept her Nursing License active for her entire life.

Ida loved to host her family and friends and had a reputation as an excellent cook. Despite this, she would always insist that whatever she had prepared was far too dry! Her favorite past time was watching Cardinals baseball while working on her latest embroidery or cross stitch project (usually for hopeful great-grand babies or wedding gifts). She also loved to eat out and travel all over the US with her daughters and late husband, visiting exciting places like Hawaii, Alaska, and Oregon, but Branson was always her favorite.

Ida was actively involved in various groups and volunteer organizations. She served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Home Builders Club, where one of the highlights of her week was sharing lunch with her fellow ladies. She was also a dedicated member of Belle Community Church, volunteering for nearly every event and drive they hosted. Additionally, Ida was an active participant in the 55 and Older Club, she was a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a past leader of Job’s Daughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents- Verlee & Oscar Ridenhour; her Siblings- Ellen Young (Edward), Marion Ridenhour, Esther Luttrell (Bill); and the love of her life- Edwin Runge. Surviving are her two daughters- Carole Moore (Keith), Sandy Gray (Don Culver); her sister-in-law- Linda Ridenhour; her 8 grandchildren- Erin Moore, Wesley Moore (Alex), Will Moore (David Peck), Zechariah Moore (Laura), Jamee Gray, Jhade Gray (Bethany), DJ Gray, and Brandon Gray (Amber); and 6 great-grandchildren- Ariel, Amanda, Clara K, Lucy, Mabel, and Zeke. Ida was always most proud to say that all her grandchildren were able to graduate from college, and she absolutely loved spending time in her front room with all her great-grandchildren playing around her.

Services will be held at Belle Community Church on Friday November 15, 2024. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 with funeral services to follow, and the burial will be at the Koenig Cemetery. Family and friends are then welcome to return to Belle church for a late lunch.

Thank you to everyone who Ida had in her life, and anyone who felt touched by her in some way. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Koenig Cemetery Fund.