Bernice R Runion

On June 21, 2025, Bernice (Schlaegel) Runion was welcomed into heaven by her loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Also waiting there was her loving husband of seventy years, Glenn, other close family members, and many long-time friends. Bernice was born October 26,1930 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Dale and Grace Schlaegel. She grew up with a younger brother, Don. The Schlaegel family's faith was an important part of their life. They were in church twice on Sunday and each Wednesday evening. Bernice wrote, "On New Year's Day when I was eight years old, I walked down the church aisle and gave my heart to the Lord." During her senior year of high school, Bernice's mother was hospitalized. The nurses caring for her mother left an impression on her. She realized that nursing was the career for her. Before Bernice graduated from Central High School in St. Paul and enrolled in Mounds-Midway School of Nursing (from which she graduated), she met Glenn, who took her on their first date to a small local fair. Glenn and Bernice were wed on September 12, 1951, just before his deployment in the Korean Conflict. She moved out to Washington State for a nursing job, when he left, and stayed there until Glenn returned home. After a brief move back to Minnesota, they moved together to Washington where their four children, Ruth, Stephen, Daniel, and Sarah were born. Glenn began a career in banking and Bernice retired to homemaking. Hospitality was important to the Runion family. In fact, their home became the neighborhood hangout. On Sundays, they routinely cooked a large pot roast so they could invite church visitors home for dinner. Years later, she returned to work in Skagit Valley Hospital's Intensive Care and Coronary Care Unit to help put her children through college. Throughout her life, Bernice's hands were always busy sewing clothes & quilts; knitting sweaters, hats, gloves, and baby booties; canning and freezing vegetables, fruits, and jams; and making meals, cookies, and homemade bread. At her church, she devoted decades to volunteering in the church library, and supported missions work. Left to mourn Bernice's passing are her four children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and her friends. Bernice modeled many of the phases of Proverbs 31: "She extends her hands to the poor and stretches out her hands to the needy…strength and dignity are her clothing…she looks well to the ways of her household…her children rise up and bless her…a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised." Celebration of Life Service will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 19 with a Desserts Reception following the Service, both at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 Philo Rd., Urbana To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bernice R Runion, please visit our floral store.