Joann Runyan

Joann (Nuzum) Runyan was born September 24, 1937, to Howard and Beatrice (Coate) Nuzum near Pisgah, Iowa. She attended Preparation Country School, Pisgah Public School, and graduated from 8th grade from Ute Junior High. Joann married Jay Alvin Runyan on September 17, 1955, and they made their home in Omaha, Nebraska. Two weeks later Jay was drafted into the Army. After Jay's honorable discharge the couple moved to Sioux City, Iowa. In 1969, they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where she worked for the Grand Island Independent. She also ran a daycare for many years. In 1979, the couple moved to Omaha.

Joann loved travel and go out to eat. She enjoyed having children around her. She was an avid card player and would teach anyone who wanted to play, especially pitch. Joann loved having family and friends around her, and her grandchildren were her joy. She loved to bowl and play forward on the basketball team while in school.

Joann died on Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Brighton Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 79 years and 26 days.

Joann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jay Runyan on March 12, 2007; daughter, Vicky Runyan on November 15, 2004; four sisters, Colleen Martin Mehring, Shirley Nuzum, Bonita Martin and Darlene Moore; and four brothers, Gary, Leo, Kenneth and Bob Nuzum. She is survived by her three daughters, Kathy (Ken) Morhain of Anchorage, Alaska, Cindy Runyan of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kim (Mark) Byrd of Omaha, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Aaron (Elizabeth) Morhain, Anthony (Kari) Byrd, Christopher (Renee) Morhain, Alyssa (Ted) Kathol, and Nathan Morhain; eight siblings, Alan "Jerry" (Joyce) Nuzum of Alma, Wisconsin, Jack (Shirley) Nuzum of Williston, North Dakota, Carol Sue Nuzum of Sioux City, Iowa, Barbara (Rex) Hargroves of Holstein, Iowa, Dale Nuzum of LeMars, Iowa, Joyce (Gary) Williams of Merrill, Iowa, Patricia (Ronnie) Johnson of Paulina, Iowa, Diane (Larry) Theisen of Logan, Iowa; and many other family and friends.