Eugene H "Gene" (Hezzy) Runde (93) of Teutopolis

Eugene H. “Gene” (Hezzy) Runde, 93, of Teutopolis passed away at the home where he was born on January 9, 2025 surrounded by his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, January 13, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis with burial in St. Francis Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held at the church from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Sunday at the church, with a Knights of Columbus rosary to follow. Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home.

Gene was born on May 18, 1931, in Teutopolis, the son of Herman J. and Mary B. (Siemer) Runde. He married Lenora Rose Kinkelaar on June 8, 1957, and she preceded him in death on May 1, 2004. Gene graduated from Teutopolis High School in 1949 and Quincy College in 1953. He served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He taught and coached at Quincy Notre Dame High School from 1956 to 1959. He then came back to his hometown and taught Math, Driver’s Ed, and Business classes and drove a school bus for Teutopolis Unit #50 for 29 years. During his summer breaks, he worked at Siemer Milling Company in Teutopolis. He also owned and operated Runde’s Sporting Goods and Homewood Grill. He worked for the State of Illinois Public Aid Office and, after he retired, at Cardinal Golf Course in Effingham. Gene was a member of the Teutopolis American Legion Post #924 and was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #2874. He was an avid Teutopolis Wooden Shoes fan, and one of his life’s greatest joys was going to his children’s and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events.

Gene is survived by his five children: daughters Tina (Mike) Niemerg, Terri (Paul) Hille, and Lori (Don) Wendt; sons Greg (Pam) Runde and Mark (Lora) Runde; 16 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; sister Mary Angela Runde; brothers-in-law Paul (Judy) Kinkelaar, Jean (Janice) Kinkelaar, and Dan (Eileen) Kinkelaar; and sisters-in-law Betty Brown and Pat Kinkelaar.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; mother and father-in-law Andrew and Philomena Kinkelaar; brothers and sisters-in-law Joseph (Betty) Runde, Herman (Luella) Runde, Paul (Marian) Runde, Bill (Ellen) Runde; and brothers-in-law Leonard (Jeane) Kinkelaar, Jim Kinkelaar, Wilbert Kinkelaar, and Ron Brown.