James Lawrence Runge, 76, of Grand Island, entered into Heaven, August 6, 2016 at CHI Health-Saint Francis Medical Center. Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Todd Bowen of Grace Covenant Church officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to service time.

Memorials are suggested to the Central Nebraska Humane Society or Grace Covenant Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.livson.com. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

James was born to Walace Rockefeller and Lela (Walker) Runge, on August 12, 1939 at Monroe, NE and later adopted by Emil Runge. He grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High. He was united in marriage to Wanda Kutschkau on June 22, 1967 at Lincoln, NE. They lived in Dannebrog, NE for a short time and later moved to Grand Island where they made their home.

He was a member of Grace Covenant Church, the Grand Island Gun Club, and fostergrandparents.org.

James had many hobbies and crafts including studying the Bible, woodworking and carpentry.
He enjoyed playing the piano, and volunteering his time to play at local nursing homes. He loved being with his family and especially playing with the children and his pets.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; daughter, Leah Fairbanks and significant other Christopher Burry of Grand Island, and daughter Rebekah Torres and husband Elvin of Bellevue, NE; and 6 grandchildren, Trinity, Keenan, Emmahlae, Eärendil, Lydia and Chloe; and brother, John Rockefeller and his family.

James was preceded in death by his mother, Lela Runge and father, Emil Runge.