Michael Runyan

Former Kenesaw resident, Michael Joseph Runyan, 52, of Stromsburg, Nebraska died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska after a battle with several medical illnesses.

Services will be Saturday, February 6, 2010; 10:00 A.M. at Cross County Community School, Stromsburg, Nebraska with Pastor Kerry Relihan officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to service at Cross County Community School. Rosary will be Sunday, February 7, 2010; 7:00 P.M. at Butler-Volland Chapel, and Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, February 8, 2010; 10:30 A.M. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Hastings with Father Michael Houlihan and Father Mark Tasler officiating. Burial will be in Kenesaw Cemetery, Kenesaw, Nebraska. Visitation will be Saturday, February 6, 2010; 5:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.; Sunday, February 7, 2010; 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. at Livingston-Butler-Volland Funeral Home, and 1 hour prior to service at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established for Cross County Community Schools.

Michael was born October 12, 1957 in Hastings, Nebraska to William & Joan (Consbruck) Runyan of Kenesaw, Nebraska. Mike attended Kenesaw High School and graduated in 1977. He went on to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he was a member of the Glee Club and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1981. He obtained his Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education in 1987 from the University of Nebraska in Kearney. Mike taught at Stromsburg Public Schools/Cross County Community Schools from 1981 through September 2009. Mike recently received the Stromsburg Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year award for 2010 in recognition of his dedication and service to the youth in the community. Mike was involved in the Stromsburg community as well as with organizations in Polk County. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York, Knights of Columbus, and an avid HUSKER fan!

Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Survivors include:
Parents : William & Joan (Consbruck) Runyan - Kenesaw, NE
Sister & Brother-in-law : Mary Jane & David Florence - St. Louis, MO
Brother : Mark Runyan - Lincoln, NE
Aunts & Uncles : Mary Ann Carney - Indianola, NE
Kay & Jim Stommes - Omaha, NE
Jerry & Anne Runyan - Omaha, NE
Jim Pittz - Hastings, NE
Numerous Cousins .