Helen Geneva (Wyatt)(Burns) Runyan's Obituary
Helen G. Runyan, 90, of Centralia, WA, formerly of Puyallup, went to join her heavenly father on July 27, 2013. Helen was born the eldest of five children to Arthur Glenn Wyatt and Nora Ellen Atkins on January 20, 1923. Helen was born in the same room as her mother at the old homestead at Cow Creek, Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho. She knew her family genealogy and was very proud of her Idaho roots. At the beginning of WWII, Helen and her family moved to Tacoma, WA. There they worked at the shipyards through the war years. Helen owned the High Spot Cafe in the 1950’s on Hwy 101. She continued her working life as a dietitian working in restaurants and nursing homes. Helen was an avid crocheter and book reader. Many of her children and grand children enjoy the fruits of her labor through blankets, doll clothing and slippers she had made.
Helen was preceded in death by her first husband, George A. Burns and three brothers, Rex, Dougie and Art Wyatt. Helen married Kenneth A. Runyan on September 27, 1963, with whom she will be put to rest. They shared twenty two years of love and travel around America prior to his death in 1990. Those were many of her most memorable years.
Her eldest daughter Bonnie Ellen Dougherty and second eldest Martha Marie Carter also preceded her in death. Left to grieve the loss of their sister are Bertha A. Phillips of Burlington, WA, Etta Mariettakes of University Place, WA and Marci Gohman of Chicago, IL. Her remaining seven children left to grieve with their families are: Betty Jo of Drain, OR, Samuel Glenn of Albuqueque, NM, Sandra Kay of Chehalis, WA, Daniel George of Acworth, GA, Barbara Allen of Lakebay, WA, Benny Charles of Graham, WA and James Otis of the family home in Centralia, WA, and her special family Dan and Kathy Lifto of Stillwater, MI.
Visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm, Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at Mountain View Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1pm, Thursday, August 1, 2013 at the Funeral Home’s Valley Chapel.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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