Alma B. Runnebaum, 99, of Seneca, Kansas died July 12, 2013, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born on July 5, 1914 to F.J. and Mary (Haverkamp) Holthaus. Alma’s mother Mary died of tuberculosis when Alma was three years old. The young Alma was then raised by her stepmother Centa Bernreiter. She graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul High School in 1932 and attended college at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison for a year. She left college to help raise her brothers and sisters. Besides helping at home, she worked for her father at the county courthouse doing secretarial work and recording documents.

On March 31, 1937 she married Henry A. Runnebaum at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. After 50 years of marriage, Henry preceded her in death on April 28, 1987.

Alma and Henry raised cattle and farmed for 40 years southwest of Woodlawn, Kansas. They retired and moved to Seneca in 1976. In their retirement they volunteered as delivery drivers for Meals on Wheels. Alma enjoyed quilting and was a member of the church quilting group for over 25 years. She also volunteered at the new hospital gift shop until it closed.

Alma was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca, and the Altar Society, where she was officer. She enjoyed cards, quilting, dancing and was faithful participant in the weekly Adoration vigil at the church.

Besides her husband Henry, she was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Leonard Holthaus; and three sisters, Anna Holthaus, Regina Runnebaum and Clara Nicholson.

Survivors include a daughter, Janice Madura of Park City, Illinois; and a son, Dr. Bob Runnebaum (Rosemary) of Kansas City, Kansas. She was proud of her six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Sister Joachim Holthaus OSB of Atchison, Kansas and Melanie Schmiedeler of Kansas City, Missouri; and two brothers, Dr. Joseph Holthaus and Dr. William Holthaus, both of Omaha, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at offered at 11 AM Wednesday, July 17, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 PM with a rosary at 7 PM Monday, July 15, at Charter Funeral Home, 10250 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Merriam, Kansas. A visitation will also be held at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Tuesday, July 16, from 5:30 to 8 PM with a rosary at 7 PM.