Isabelle Runge

Isabelle Runge, age 101, of Kearney, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 18, 2024 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Faith United Methodist Church of Kearney. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Isabelle (Gibreal) Runge was born on July 24, 1923, in Kearney, Nebraska. Isabelle grew up and came of age during the Great Depression and lived through World War II. The determination and strength of will she encompassed during these times shined through the rest of her life. In her later years she would often say, “if you want to have the rainbow, you must have the rain.” She worked at the air base during World War II and then at Keith’s Jewelry Store in Kearney as a young woman. She enjoyed dances at the armory and at 1733 Estates. It was at one of these dances where she met Denver Runge. They were married in 1950 and had four children: Daniel, Deborah, Janice and Jane. Her favorite place was her farm, where she lived until she was 100 years old. Isabelle had a passion for gardening and took great pride in raising most of her own food, including many vegetables, chickens, beef, eggs, and she also had dairy cows for milk. Preparing meals for her family brought her much joy. She loved music, played the piano from memory, and sang beautifully to the very end. One of her favorite shows over the years was Lawrence Welk, which broadcasted many of her big band favorites. Isabelle is survived by her four children: Daniel (Gabe) Runge, Deborah (Doug) Jesch, Janice (Dave) Klimek, Jane (Dave) Sattler; nine grandchildren: Aaron Jesch, Elliot Jesch, April (Jorge) Soberon, Ross Fellows, Aimee (Patrick) Casady, Heather (Andrew) Holmes, Holly Fellows, Amanda (Jake) Douglas, Parker Sattler; and ten great-grandchildren: Irie Jesch, Emery Jesch, Lawson Jesch, Hunter Fellows, Kyson Casady, Cora Casady, Callen Casady, Camden Holmes, Juliette Douglas, and Colette Douglas. She is also survived by one sister, Cleo Freburg and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Denver Runge, parents Nicholas and Sadie (Shada) Gibreal, and siblings: George, Simon, Katie, Mike, Mary, Gilbert, Esther, Richard and James.

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Isabelle Runge

July 24, 1923 - October 8, 2024