Obituary of Joanne Mathilda Running

Joanne Mathilda Running, 65, of Esko died Saturday, October 18, 2003 in St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. She was born August 1, 1938 in Maple, Wisconsin to Eli and Aune (Soyring) Pellman. She grew up in Duluth and Superior and graduated from Superior Central High School in 1956. On July 4, 1956, Joanne married Ron RUnning in Superior and they made their home in Duluth. IN 1962 they moved to King Lake, Nebraska where Joanne was very active in her church. She taught Sunday School and was active in "Chapel Hour". They later moved to Proctor and in 1977, they moved to Comstock Lake near Cotton where together they ran Running's Retreat. Joanne was always active in the church, Sunday School, Missionettes and has taken "Chapel Hour" nationally. She was a member of Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life, was a mentor at Northwoods Children's Home in Duluth for many years and she was always ministering to others. She was a graduate of North Central Bible Traning Center in Grand Rapids. Currently, she was a member of First Love Church in West Duluth. Her love for children was evident in the fact that in addition to raising her four children, she took in, cared for, and loved 26 foster children over the years. In 1998 they moved to Chub Lake in Carlton and since 2001 have lived in Esko. Joanne's mission in life was to have everyone know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior so that someday they may join her in heaven. Joanne is survived by her husband of 47 years,Ron of Esko; daughters, Rhonda (Mark) Gazelka of Bemidji, Joanna (Jeff) Shady of Esko; sons, Ronald "Skip" Jr.(Rose)of Maple Valley, Washington, Donald (Elizabeth) of Warsaw, Indiana; foster children, Loretta (Mark)Bickford of Kelsey, Samantha Skerbitz of Chisholm, Sharon(Kris) Whelan of Duluth, Richard (Michelle) Skerbitz of Chisholm, William (Carol) Skerbitz of St. Paul and Dale (Christine) Heuer of Ramsey; sisters, Jean (Les) Buchanan of South Range, Wisconsin, Jessie (Russell) Running of Omaha, Nebraska, Joyce (Kenny) Fawcett of Las Vegas, Nevada; 32 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 in Hermantown Community Church, 4880 Maple Grove Road in Hermantown. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery in Carlton. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet.