Ellen M. (Matzke) Runty Obituary (1919 - 2012)

Ellen M. (Matzke) Runty, 93 years of age, of DeWitt, NE. passed away at the Beatrice Community Hospital Friday evening, August 17, 2012 surrounded by her family. She was born on January 19, 1919 at Milford, NE. to Edgar F. and Emma J. (Hedges) Matzke. She was a 1936 graduate of Milford High School in Milford, NE., attended the University of Nebraska, and taught rural schools in Seward County prior to her marriage. Ellen and Frank C. Runty were married on June 15, 1944 at her family's farm, and then they moved to a farm west of DeWitt in 1944 where she lived until July of 2012. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in DeWitt and had been involved in various church circles and activities, and had served as a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. Ellen had been a member of the former DeWitt Grange Club, and member of the Saline County Farm Bureau. She enjoyed her family, gardening, cooking, flowers, needle work, reading, and canning. Ellen was a devoted and loving wife and mother to her three children who mourn her passing; sons Charlie Runty of Swanton and Ed Runty of DeWitt; daughter Bonnie Zaroban and husband Donald of Boise, Idaho; 3 grandchildren, Stephanie Tetley and husband Tim of Jackson, Wyoming, Stacie and Thomas Zaroban of Boise; and a host of relatives and friends. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Frank Runty (1971); brother Harlow Matzke; and sisters Lois Eberspacher and Reva Eberspacher. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in DeWitt with Reverend Janice Farrell and PMA Maynard Kellerman officiating. Interment will be in the Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Lincoln, NE. The body will lie in state Monday from 1-9:00 P.M. at the Venrick-Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in DeWitt with the family greeting friends from 7-8:30, and at the church one hour preceding the service on Tuesday. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M. Tuesday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge. Sign Ellen's guest book at and view her video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Venrick-Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in DeWitt.