Allan Lavern Runyan

Allan Lavern Runyan, age 87, of Grand Forks, and formerly of Niagara, ND, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Woodside Village of 4000 Valley Square in Grand Forks.
Allan, son of Melvin and Etta (Botham) Runyan was born January 27, 1927 in Niagara. Niagara was Allan’s home nearly his entire life, where he attended school, owned a business and raised his family. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 and was honorably discharged in November, 1946. In 1948, he married Caroline Behm, and they moved to Park River for 5 years, where Al was employed as a mechanic until they returned to Niagara to join Al’s brother, Robert, at Niagara Corner Station. Allan became sole owner of the business in 1959, and in 1982, the business was moved into Niagara where Allan continued his service to the community.
After the sudden loss of his wife and best friend, Caroline, in August 2001, he continued to live in Niagara and operate his business until November 2011, when due to health he became a resident at Wheatland Assisted Living in Grand Forks. Allan was an active member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, a volunteer fireman for Niagara Fire Department, served on the school board and was a member of Petersburg Legion Post 247. Allan helped many people through the years and had many friends.
Family members include his children: Thomas (Donna), Minot, ND; Stanley, Milwaukee, WI; Douglas (Myrna), Grand Forks; James (Yvonne), Piedmont, SD and Lori (Ed) Dockus, St. Claire Shores, MI; fourteen grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; brother-in-law: Edgar Behm; sisters-in-law: Loretta Hanssen, Vera Odegaard, Marlys Berdal, Phyllis Behm, Vivian Behm; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline; son, Keith; his parents; sister, Frances; brother, Robert; and daughter-in-law, Judith.

CELEBRATION of Allan’s life will be at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Niagara on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. BURIAL will follow at St. Andrew Lutheran Cemetery.

MILITARY HONORS: John Larson Post No. 247 of the Petersburg American Legion and the North Dakota National Guard Honors Team.

VISITATION: Thursday, September 25 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service held in the Bakke Funeral Home of Larimore. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral in the church on Friday.

MEMORIALS: The Family wishes Memorials be given to either St. Andrew Church or the Niagara Cemetery Association.