Sara Agnes Rundus

Sara Agnes (Smith) Rundus was born June 20, 1928, to David Hamilton Smith and Ophie Luella (Deese) Smith, in rural Cleburne County, Alabama, near Macedonia Community. The rural setting made a lovely place to explore with her brother, Hurston, and 7 sisters, Myrth, Mildred, Orie, Ertis, Wilma, and Carolyn. Sara especially enjoyed the spring when the streams ran full, hillsides were covered in wildflowers and wild berries could be picked. Life centered around farm and housework, school and church. As WWII started, young men and women were called away to serve which left schools without adequate teachers. Sara's high grades led the principal to recruit her as a teaching assistant, where she even taught a 9th grade math class as a 9th grader herself.
She graduated on schedule and moved to Anniston, AL, with her cousin, Jean Smith. Although the war effort delayed her training for her lifelong dream of being a nurse, she worked at the Fort McClelland Army base PX and enjoyed singing in the chapel choir. She also enjoyed meeting a young chaplain's assistant, Ivan Rundus. They were married in 1947, and they moved to Manhattan, KS, where Ivan began university studies. Sara still wanted to begin nurse's training, but when she interviewed for the program, she was rejected because they didn't accept married women. Soon after, their son Vince and daughter Katharin were born.
Ivan finished his college degree at Kansas State while also serving churches at Rossville and Delia, KS. The Presbytery then sent him to the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary to earn his Master of Divinity degree and be ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA. Their daughter Carolyn "Jan" was born during the seminary years, when their family of now 5 lived in Cascade, IA where Ivan was the student pastor. Sara attended classes at the University of Dubuque but was unable to graduate before they moved to Ivan's first church in Amboy, MN. Following a successful time in Amboy where Sara was a dedicated mom and pastor's wife, they served parishes in Faribault MN, where Elwyn was born, and Pipestone, MN. Ivan accepted a call to Sterling, Colorado, First Presbyterian Church, where Sara was finally able to take short courses and become a licensed nursing assistant, managing a local medical practice and assisting in office procedures for 38 years. She was also a busy pastor's wife, singing in the choir and playing handbells, as well as her many other duties. One of her fondest memories was singing with the Sweet Adelines chorus.
Shortly after Ivan's death in 1998, Sara moved to Broomfield, CO, and became a beloved member of the Presbyterian Church of Broomfield. She sang in the choir, managed a yearly rummage sale to fund youth work, and as her fellow members commented, "She brightened everyone's life."
Sara was very proud of her family and of raising very amazing, kind and successful children. In her 97 years she saw the world change in too many ways to list; electrification came to her Alabama county and so did TV and films; Mickey Mouse was introduced as Steamboat Willie; Heidi (1937) was the first film Sara saw at age 8. She watched men walk on the moon, but also endured the 60's civil rights struggle, and the assassinations of JFK, RFK, MLK Jr. She experienced the invention of the internet and rushed out to get the new iPhone! Through all those years, Sara stayed current and interested in people, events and the exciting world around her. Sara passed on September 18, 2025, after complications from a broken hip surgery.
Services will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Broomfield on October 11, 2025 at 11am, and interment is next to her beloved Ivan, at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling, CO. A graveside service for the family and public will be held October 10, 2025 at noon.
Sara was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Ivan Rundus, (1998) and her son, Elwyn (2017). There was nothing Sara enjoyed more than a gathering of the whole family which she often said was "a time to express our love and care for each other and deep concern for each other's well-being."
That family included:
Son-Vince (Jena), Grandchildren- Justin (Rachel), Murray, and Reagan.
Justin's children, Tyler and Ashleigh, great grandchildren,
Daughter-Katharin (Steven Wirth) grandson-the Rev. Alex Wirth, (the Rev. Megan Cochran)
and great-granddaughter Clarus Ivy.
Daughter-Carolyn Jan (Eric Lord) and granddaughter Delaney Katharin.
Son-Elwyn (d.2017) (Latisha), and grandson Trevor Ivan.
Also survived by:
Brian Rundus
Sister- Carolyn Cantrell
Nieces and Nephews-Karen Luiz, Robbie Doyle, Alan Robinson, Dwight Byrd, Stanley Byrd, Martha Carole Walker.
As we say our farewells, we remember a remarkable woman, who at 75 years said, "We are each as unique as our fingerprints. Even if it takes 75 years to know who you truly are, then all the tumultuous years of struggle are worth this insight. Love and cherish each other and protect and nurture that family as a unique gift from God."
May it be so. Written by the Rev. Dr. Steven Wirth from Sara's journals.
Memorials may be made in Sara's name to the Ivan Rundus Foundation, 1st Presbyterian Church, Sterling, and the Music Department, 1st Presbyterian Church of Broomfield, in c/o Rundus Funeral Home, 1998 W. 10th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80020.