Phyllis Ann Krenz Runnels was called to her Eternal Home on Friday, April 26, 2024. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 506 West 9th St. in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Phyllis Ann Gartner war born May 1, 1935, the first of three daughters born to William Louis Gartner and Olga Martha (Mangels) Gartner of Coffeyville, Kansas. She attended elementary school at Grace Lutheran School in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville. She earned a business associate degree from Coffeyville Community College. Phyllis worked in the legal profession in the Glen Tongier Law Firm.
On October 8, 1955, she was married to Ernest H. Krenz, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He was serving in the U.S. Army and soon after their marriage, they were sent to France where he served in Army Intelligence. They lived in La Baule, France for eighteen months and were fortunate to visit many countries. A highlight was visiting his grandmother who lived in Berlin, Germany. Their son Mark was born in France shortly before returning to the States.
After their return home, they lived in Kansas City, Missouri, where Ernie was a custom home contractor and their two daughters, LuAnn and Kristi were born. In 1971 they moved to their cattle ranch in Nowata County, OK.
Phyllis had a lifelong love of music. In her earlier years she was church organist, played handbells, sang in the choir, and while in high school was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, traveling as far as Chicago to participate in events, and while in college she was a member of marching band. She was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and served as Church Secretary for fifteen years. She also loved cheering for the OSU Cowboys…all of her children and their spouses are OSU graduates.
On November 20, 2012, after a loving marriage lasting 57 years, the Lord called Ernie home. God continued to write a wonderful story for her life. She met Dr. John H. Runnels (Research Chemist Emeritus) at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bartlesville, and they were married there on June 27, 2015. They began an amazing adventure and enjoyed traveling, especially to Europe where they reaffirmed their wedding vows on their second anniversary at a magnificent centuries-old Lutheran Church in lower Saxony, Germany, celebrated the 500th Jubilee Anniversary of the Reformation in Wittenberg, saw the grand sights in Paris, and returned to the ocean-side city of La Baule on the Western Coast of France where Phyllis once lived.
Phyllis was truly blessed to be married to two men of great faith, who loved the Lord and faithfully served Him. She treasures the “legacy of faith” passed on to her by her parents and grandparents. Her greatest joy is the love her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have for the Lord. To God be the Glory.
Phyllis is survived by her loving husband, Dr. John Runnels of the home, son, Mark Krenz of Wann, OK; two daughters, LuAnn and husband Tom Kissee, of Springfield, MO; and Kristi and husband Dr. Tony Small of Welch, OK. John’s three children; Mark Runnels of Bartlesville, OK; Steven Hugh Runnels of Fayetteville, AR; and Ramona Runnels of Dewey, OK. Phyllis has eight grandchildren: Kassi Ward (Jeff); Andy Krenz (Lisa); Casey Krenz (Kelly Jo); Weston Kissee (Caitlin); Ashley Krenz; Courtney Crites (Brye); Blair Small (Tyrney); Zac Small (Cayla); also, nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Olga Gartner, and husband Ernie Krenz.
Visitation will be an hour before the service begins at the church.
The family would welcome memorials to the Childrens Program at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.
