Orliss L. Runestad
Mr. Orliss L. "Ole" Runestad, 84, of Morris, passed on to his eternal home on Wednesday evening, Nov. 11, 2009, after a 14-month battle with bile duct cancer. He died at home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at Peace Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey K. Chubb officiating.
Interment will be at West Lisbon Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson St., in Morris. Military honors will be provided by the Morris Color Guard.
Born Oct. 6, 1925, in Letcher, S.D., Orliss was the son of Edward Otto and Lillian (Severson) Runestad. He moved to Morris in his teens.
He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy from Dec. 15, 1943, until June 2, 1943.
Orliss married Verna Hanson on Oct. 16, 1948. He resided in several surrounding communities before moving to The Villages, Fla., upon retiring from Ace Hardware Corp. in Oakbrook in 1988. He returned to Morris in June 2008.
Orliss enjoyed warm weather, golfing and gardening. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Verna, of Morris; one son, Rodney (Mary) Runestad, of New Canaan, Conn.; two daughters, Marlyss Runestad of Aurora and Julie (David) Blish of Elwood; three grandsons, Dain Runestad of Woodbridge, Conn., Kyle Runestad of Norwalk, Conn., and Bret (Ryan) Runestad of Durham, N.C.; one granddaughter, Lucia (Mason) Matthews, of Durham; one great-grandson, Ryan Fox Matthews, of Durham; two brothers, Martell (Barbara) Runestad of Morris and Luverne (Barbara) Runestad of Rockford; and one sister, Miriam (Robert) Knutson of Mulberry, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Randy; and numerous relatives.
Memorials in his honor may be given to Joliet Area Community Hospice, Peace Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call 815-942-0700 or sign the online guestbook at www.frulandfuneralhome.com.
