Marvin E. Runia age 81 of Sibley, Iowa died Friday, January 10, 2020 at Osceola Regional Health Center in Sibley, IA.
Burial will be prior to the memorial service on Tuesday, January 14th with the family gathering at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley at 9:30 a.m. and processing to the Holman Township Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 14th at First Reformed Church in Sibley, IA, with Rev. Luke Schouten officiating.
Visitation will be Monday, January 13th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Reformed Church of Sibley and/or the Osceola Regional Health Center of Sibley.
Marvin Eugene Runia was born to John and Gertie (Ketel) Runia on Sept. 22, 1938 in Sibley, IA. He received his formal education in rural schools and the Christian School in Ocheyedan.
He began helping his dad with the farming while a youth and in his late teens began working for the Allendorf Elevator. Some of his duties there involved driving the bulk feed truck, unloading the train cars and delivering coal to various homes. He often shared stories with his family about those days and his experiences.
It was about this same age that he made his profession of his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior in the Christian Reformed Church in Bigelow, Minn. where he faithfully attended services with his parents and siblings. He married Janice Ver Steeg on Sept. 19, 1958, and then joined the First Reformed Church in Sibley.
Because he had been farming since he was 12 years old, it was only natural for him to continue farming the “Home Place” when his parents retired. Marvin taught his children good work ethics by involving them in the farm activities. He was a good farmer, wanting his fields to be weed-free, since he lived along a busy highway and he wanted his fields to look good. All other activities were set aside during planting and harvesting season. He taught himself to fix almost anything concerning farming and machinery. He was also skilled in woodworking making various items for his family. During the 1980s farm crisis, Marvin took on extra work off the farm as a carpenter for Meendering Construction.
In the fall of 2000 Marvin and Janice began planning and constructing a new home near Sibley. They moved to this acreage in June of 2001. It was not easy for Marvin to leave the farm where he had lived all his life.
Marvin served as a deacon at First Reformed Church as well as serving on various committees. He was a part of a couples’ Bible study. He also assisted with the work on several mission trips and could be found working with the backstage crew during the community Passion Play.
Marvin and Janice enjoyed square dancing where they made many lasting friendships. Marvin was a quiet, humble, man who loved his family dearly. He had a quirky sense of humor which his family thoroughly enjoyed but did make them shake their heads on occasion.
Left to cherish his memory are Janice, his wife of 61 years; his children, Brenda (Charlie) Kuhl, Karen (Craig) Floyd, Marlin (Kathy) Miller, Lora (Larry) Hahka and Julie (Chris Wilson); grandchildren, Jacob, Matthew (Bailey), Kati and Maranda; and great-granddaughters, Lilly and Rose; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Runia and Marilyn Schniedermann; as well as nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gertie Runia and his parents in-laws, Jake and Min Ver Steeg; siblings, LaVera Krikke, Lloyd Runia and Marlene Runia; brothers- in- law, Jake Krikke, Kriene Schniedermann and Donald Ver Steeg; and sister-in-law, Wilma Ver Steeg.
We thank God for His plan of sharing this man’s life with all of us.
The Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley is in charge of the arrangements for 81-year-old Marvin E. Runia of Sibley.
