Jane Ann RUNQUIST

Passed away April 15, 2022, a few weeks shy of her 90th birthday in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60+ years, Olaf Runquist. Jane Ann grew up on a small farmstead near Lake City, Iowa with no electricity or running water until she was a teenager. She either rode her pony or walked about a mile up the road to attend a one-room country school. During her high school years Jane Ann met her future husband, Olaf, on a relative's farm. After graduating, Jane and Olaf married and moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where they raised four children and became an integral part of both the Hamline neighborhood and the Hamline University communities. Jane Ann enjoyed overseas travel during two of Olaf's sabbatical years from his professorship at Hamline University. They took their four children to live in England and Scotland. These years were spent exploring and absorbing the culture, and many fond memories were collected and cherished. During one visit, Jane Ann met the Queen of England on a polo field near Windsor Castle, not far from where the Runquist family was living. It was a proud moment for Jane Ann. Jane Ann and Olaf's sense of adventure continued well into their later years. They traveled throughout the United States, Europe and Canada. Their northern Minnesota cabin quickly became a cherished home-away-from-home. Jane Ann was a lifelong learner, an avid reader, a talented quilter/knitter, a patron of the arts, and an accomplished baker. She earned her B.A. in English Literature from Hamline University at the age of 70. She honed her computer skills during the pandemic to communicate with her family through Zoom meetings. She pored through novels ferociously, often while sitting on her front porch surrounded by her beautiful flower baskets. She crocheted prayer shawls and knitted mittens for her church. Her quilt creations, baby blankets, and Christmas stockings are now treasured by her family and friends. Olaf and Jane Ann were loyal attendees of both the Minnesota Opera and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. While her children were growing up, Jane Ann baked four loaves of bread, a few pies and a batch of cookies each week. Her kitchen was especially busy during the holidays with all the baking she would later share with family, neighbors and friends. For nearly 70 years, Jane Ann was an active member of P.E.O., an international philanthropic organiza-tion with a mission of promoting educational opportunities for women. She recently established the Jane Ann Runquist Chemistry Scholarship at Cottey College—P.E.O's owned and operated college in Nevada, Missouri. Jane Ann is survived by her brother Steve Clark; her children Elizabeth (Carl), Jonas (Peggy), Paul (Patricia) and Lars (Lori). She is also survived by six grandchildren Christopher (Katie), Christina (Robert), Hannah (Mike), Tony, Karsten and Elsa. She had one great-grandson, Benjamin. She is also survived by special life-long family friend, Kit Yu Chung of Hong Kong and her daughters, Lydia and Tina. A memorial will take place on June 2, 2022 at 2 pm Hamline Methodist Church in St. Paul, MN. A brief reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Jane Ann Runquist Chemistry Scholarship Fund, Cottey College Office of Institutional Advancement, 1000 West Austin Blvd., Nevada, MO 64772.