Jackie Runneals

Mary Jacqueline Runneals "Jackie", 77 of Nevada, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Stratford Specialty Care in Stratford.
Jackie was born October 18, 1947, in Ames, IA, the daughter of Millard Virgil and Patricia Edith (McGillicuddy) Runneals. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1965 and furthered her education at Mercy College in Des Moines, earning her RN.
Jackie chose to stay in Des Moines and work at Mercy Hospital for many years after graduation. She enjoyed the many friends she made, as well as the patients that she helped over the years. She was especially involved with her church in Des Moines, St. Ambrose Catholic Church. When her health deteriorated and she was no longer able to work, she moved to Nevada.
Jackie was a devoted member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Nevada. She enjoyed visiting with friends and going to lunch. She had a special friends' group who were the "daughters of devotion". Jackie had a knack for photography and would often be behind the camera taking family photos.
Jackie loved being with her two nieces and her two nephews while they were growing up. She looked forward to doing special camping outings with the girls and often drove her nephews to and from school in Nevada. She was like a second mother to her nieces and nephews and loved to support them in all their activities. She never missed calling her siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends on birthdays with her rousing rendition of the Happy Birthday song. (Sometimes even before we were awake!)
Jackie is survived by her siblings Peggy Brandt (Willy) of Altoona, Fran (Calvin) Dunshee of Ames, and Dan (Jane) Runneals of West Des Moines; her nieces Elizabeth (Andy) Dunshee Goke and Megan (Jeremy) Misner; her nephews David Runneals and Johnathan Runneals; her great-niece and nephews Connor, Charlie and Chloe Goke and Caden Misner; along with a host of other relatives and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandparents Daniel and Louise McGillicuddy and Rhea and Lillian Runneals.
Jackie has been cremated and a mass honoring her life will be planned for the spring. She will be laid to rest next to her parents at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Nevada.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in memory of Jackie.
Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.