Obituary of Phyllis A. Runnels

Phyllis A. Runnels, age 85, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Thursday, August 30, 2018 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Dr. Carlton Andersen will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services on Tuesday at the church. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family.

Phyllis was born in Milwaukee, WI on July 26, 1933 to Walter and Anna (Lippert) Raasch. She married Wayne Runnels in 1954, and they were blessed with four wonderful children and two beautiful grandchildren.

She was an active member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. She treasured her family and was very proud that they grew to be kind and loving individuals. She also felt blessed to have close, loving and gracious friends who helped her with many things.

Phyllis is survived by two children: Jeff Runnels of Austin, Texas and Laura (Marshall) Lokken of Wisconsin Rapids; two grandchildren: Ashley (Michael) Kamantauskas of Duluth, MN and Austin Lokken (Jessica Beyer) of Kronenwetter; one great-grandson, Perrin Kamantauskas; and a sister, Arleen Hofmann of Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne; two daughters: Vicki and Cynthia; and several other extended family members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

“God has blessed me with a long and interesting life despite many hardships and many losses. He blessed me with a wonderful husband, four children, two grandchildren, a great-grandson and several close and loving friends. The really important people in my life know who I am, what I have done and what I have left undone. The rest is history and makes no difference to anyone. The people I know and appreciate will not need the facts of my life, and the people who I have not pleased will know why and will not need to be reminded. God has been walking with me all the days. Thanks be to God. Love you all, Phyllis.”