Phyllis LaDean Runion

Phyllis LaDean Runion was born in Girard, Crawford County, Kansas, to Lois Milbank and Harry Brown.

She is survived by her husband Robert N. Runion, of the home, daughter Teresa Ann Barr (Randall), Topeka, KS, son Daniel Matthew Runion (Shelley), Prairie Village, KS, grandsons CPO Patrick Barr, US Navy, San Diego, CA, Brogan Runion, Frisco, CO, granddaughters Jessica Barr, Topeka, KS, Taylor Runion, Camas, WA, great grandchildren, Cooper Barr, Jackson Barr and Adalynn Barr all of Topeka, KS.

Her mother Lois and Phyllis returned to live with Lois’ widowed grandfather on his farm in Page County, Iowa, until Lois divorced Harry Brown in 1933. 

Lois remarried Ray Glassgow in 1935 and moved to Taylor County, Iowa.  Phyllis lived on the farm and attended schools in New Market, Iowa, graduating from high school there in 1949.  She liked horses and had several while she was growing up.

After high school, she worked for the Page County Court system two and a half years as an accounting clerk doing taxes, payroll, land records, etc.  She moved to Topeka, Kansas and worked for Stauffer Publication in Topeka as an artist’s assistant doing advertising copy and layout of materials.  She then went to work for the Federal Government at Forbes AFB doing general clerical work in base supply.

She continued to work within the base supply system and was promoted to supervisor after two years on the job.  She divorced Jackie Dale Smith in 1954 and her daughter, Teresa Ann, was born in 1955.

Phyllis continued to work at her supervisory clerical position through April 1959 when she resigned to accompany her husband Robert Runion, whom she married 4 October 1958, to San Antonio, Texas.

A new assignment took her and her family to Scott AFB, Illinois in July 1959.  There she obtained a civil service job working in the Registrar’s office at the base hospital.  In 1963, the family transferred to Washington DC for a six month tour while her husband attended foreign language training.  Her son, Daniel Matthew Runion was born March 16, 1961 while they were stationed at Scott AFB.

In January 1964, the family transferred to El Salvador, Central America, for a three year tour.  During this tour, Phyllis got to travel to Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.  She was probably one of the only military wives that ever went to the local market where the local populace did their shopping.  She became quite good at haggling and negotiating with the local market vendors.

The family returned to Forbes AFB, Kansas in January 1967, living in base housing until 1969.  She went to work for the Publications and Forms Branch at Forbes, transferring to the Photo Mapping Squadron as their Secretary.  She held this position until an opening occurred in the Base Transportation Office which she held until Forbes was closed in 1974.

She then worked as a Fuels Accountant with the 190th Air National Guard at Forbes Field until her retirement in 1992.

After retirement, she maintained a garden, enjoyed shopping, visiting with grandchildren, and travel to a number of states, Canada, England and Mexico.

Phyllis will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Friday, August 17th, from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m. where her family will receive friends and family.  Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army or Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.