Mary Leonore Running

Mary Leonore Running, 83, of Appleton, passed away on Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024, at Appleton Area Health Hospital. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, beginning with a 9:30 am rosary, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Appleton. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John’s at 11:00 am. The burial will be held at West Bank Cemetery in West Bank Township.

Mary Leonore Running was born August 27, 1940, in Jamestown, North Dakota, the daughter of Harry and Leonore Exner Emerson. She was baptized in Jamestown. She grew up in Jamestown, Valley City, and Fargo, North Dakota. She graduated from Shanley High School in Fargo in 1958, and then attended North Dakota State University, and later graduated from Moorhead State in 1963. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Mary taught high school English in Steele, North Dakota, before moving to Appleton, Minnesota, in 1965, where she taught high school English until 1968. She later became a substitute teacher in the Milan and Appleton School Districts. She worked at Future Products in Benson before becoming a sewing instructor at Prairie Correctional Facility, and retired in 2006.

June 3, 1967, Mary was united in marriage to Gary Running by the Rev. Maurice Mueller at the Church of the Nativity in Fargo, North Dakota. This union was blessed with over 57 years of marriage, five children, and eight grandchildren.

Mary enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, fishing, traveling, and playing Buck with her kids. Mary treasured the moments of raising her children and loved attending all her children’s and grandchildren’s school and sporting events.

Mary was called from this life on Tuesday, July 2, at Appleton Area Health Hospital. She attained the age of 83 years, 10 months, and 6 days. Mary is survived by her husband Gary of Appleton; her children: Cindy Running of Sioux City, Iowa, Matthew (Tammy) Running of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, David Running of Apache Junction, Arizona, Patrick (Holly) Running of Alexandria, and Elizabeth Rebischke of Delano; eight grandchildren: Erin (David) Riehle, Shayla Running, Olivia Running, Cooper Running, Dayton Running, Jaeger Running, Emerson Rebischke, and Parker Rebischke; sisters-in-law Roberta Emerson of Beavercreek, OH, and Janice Running of Montevideo, MN; and several other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Leonore; sister Elizabeth Price, brothers Bill Emerson and Terry Emerson; parents-in-law Johnny Running, Viola and Charles Bartsch; brothers-in-law: Robert Price, Eugene Bakke, Ronald Running, and Daryl Running; sister-in-law Lillian Emerson; niece Susan Bingamon; and nephew Alan Bakke.

Zniewski Funeral Home Vaala Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.