Alyce Lunetta (Purdham) Runquist, 89

Published 10:42 am Monday, November 18, 2013

Alyce Lunetta (Purdham) Runquist, 89, of Austin, Minn., died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin.

Lunetta (Purdham) Runquist

Alyce was born Feb. 12, 1924, in Minneapolis, to Elbert and Anna (Feck) Purdham. She graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1942, and served her country in World War II in the Coast Guard, both in Florida and California. During her tour in California, she had the opportunity to be included as a member of the military group scenes in the musical, “Tars and Spars,” featuring Sid Caesar. Alyce attended Hamline University where she received a degree in education. She spent her career as a teacher and librarian, beginning in Long Prairie, Minn. and subsequently worked for Austin Public Schools for more than 30 years. During her career, she taught English and speech/drama to students of all ages, spending several years as Media Generalist (librarian). Alyce also served as the drama coach at Ellis Middle School for many years and never tired of watching her students bring characters to life on the stage. Her students always held a special place in her heart and she especially appreciated having the opportunity to teach a second generation of the same family. Alyce retired from teaching in 1987. In June 1958, Alyce was united in marriage to Erling W. Runquist. Erling passed away in November 1961. A member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Alyce was also active as a lay speaker in the Methodist Church in southern Minnesota for many years. Other memberships include the Daughters of the American Revolution and the League of Women Voters. She loved to read and also enjoyed music, shopping, traveling to Florida, having coffee with her friends, and collecting dolls. At age 17, Alyce was a blue ribbon winner for cake baking at the Minnesota State Fair, and again at age 88 at the Mower County Fair for her artwork. Her greatest joy was spending time with her granddaughter.

Survivors include her daughter Erleen Ann (Wendell) Nelson of Austin, stepdaughter Mary Jane Smith, also of Austin, two stepsons, Dr. James (Kay) Runquist of Orinda, Calif., and John (Luine) Runquist of New Brighton, Minn.; her granddaughter Halla; five step-grandchildren, several step great-grandchildren; one brother, Rev. Charles (Alice) Purdham, of Brooklyn Park, Minn., niece Lois (Solon) Purdham-Kidane and nephew David (MaryRuth) Purdham. She was preceded in death by her parents Elbert and Anna Purdham, her husband Erling W. Runquist, two step-grandchildren, one nephew Rev. James Purdham, and longtime friend Jean Miller.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Karen Behling officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. The family suggests that memorials be directed to the Salvation Army or the Austin Public Library. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.