Barbara Ann Runck, age 83 of New Ulm died peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm with Father Gerald Meidl celebrating Mass. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery. A picnic at Hermann Heights will be held after burial.

Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, prior to the service.

The Christian Mother's will pray the rosary on Wednesday at 4pm at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family with arrangements at this time.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Barbara Ann (Pihaly) Runck (83) of New Ulm and Winona, MN passed away on August
23rd in Rochester, with her family at her side. Barb was born in St. Paul and graduated
in 1959 from Our Lady of Peace High School. She received an Associates of Arts from
the University of Minnesota and a Bachelors of Elementary Education from St. Cloud
Teachers College. She taught at St. Paul and New Ulm area schools as an elementary
and special education teacher.

Barb raised five daughters and worked full-time, while being active in the community.
She volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader, CCD instructor, Meals on Wheels driver,
Eucharistic Minister, church picnic volunteer, and she offered her time in many other
roles that supported the community.

As an avid reader, she shared her love of books with her daughters and allowed them to
stay up well past their bedtime to finish a good book, provided their homework was
completed and they woke up on time to catch the school bus. As a skilled yarn artist,
her favorite being crochet, Barb always had a project or three in progress, all of which
she shared with family, friends, and those in need.

Barb's calm nature often concealed the challenges she faced in life. With the recent
passing of her husband of 56 years and her health conditions, she responded to life-
changing events with quiet strength. While adapting to her life in Winona, she made
new friends and broadened her interests. It was common to find Barb tapping her toes
to the Winona Municipal Band's evening concerts, socializing with newly made friends
and staff at the Benedictine Living Community, and experiencing the sights and sounds
of the Winona area with her daughters, grandchildren, sister, and brother-in-law.

Barb is survived by daughters AnnaMarie, Amy (Noah Anderson), Lisa (Mike
Wieczorek), Sarah (Michael Henricks), and Jessica (Scott Lamkin), two grandsons
(Nathaniel and Brendan); sister, Elaine (David Borsheim); and three-legged cat, "Kitty."
Barb was preceded in death by her husband Richard P. Runck, parents Bernadette
(Hanowski) and John L. Pihaly, and brother, John Michael Pihaly.

Barb was a special lady who touched many lives. People who were fortunate enough to
know her will greatly miss her wicked sense of humor, gentle demeanor, and generous
spirit.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Brown County Humane Society or charity of your choice.