Aleta Mae Page

Aleta Mae Runkle Page, 86, was born in Pisgah, IA on March 13, 1918 to Frank and Chloie (Scherer) Runkle and entered into her heavenly Father�s rest on September 3, 2004 in Independence, MO. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 8, 2004 at the Stone Church, 1012 W. Lexington, Independence, MO; interment in Mound Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday at the church prior to the services.

Aleta was born into and raised in the RLDS faith and remained actively associated with the restoration movement throughout her life. On September 10, 1977 she married M. Norman Page, a missionary Seventy for the RLDS Church. They spent several years ministry in South Carolina until Norman�s retirement from church appointment in 1982. They returned to Independence, continuing to bring ministry to many people in those years following Norman�s retirement until his death in May of 1999. Aleta had resided at the Groves for the last five years.

Aleta�s professional and church-related career was something to marvel. After high school in Pisgah, IA she attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music in 1939. She obtained her Master�s degree from the University of Iowa in 1942. Her first years of teaching were in Pisgah, IA and Council Bluffs, IA. Then she moved to Independence where she was employed by the Independence School District. She served the district for thirty-one consecutive years as a teacher and elementary music consultant, retiring in 1977 after her marriage. Although these years were full of great success for Aleta and the students of Independence, some of her greatest personal achievements lay in many other areas of her unique life.

The following are some of the avenues of service Aleta provided in her long and illustrious career: served on the Graceland College Board of Trustees for six years; the Park College Management Committee; the World Church Committee; World Church Women�s Council 1958-70; assisted in developing the camping program for the RLDS church, specifically the campfire program; served as a member of the RLDS World Church Hymnal Committee; member of the Community Music Association Board; charter member of the Independence Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma; member of Kappa Delta Pi; member of the Music Education Association; Stone Church Preschool Board member; Zarahemla Research Institute Board member; RLDS Professional Teachers Association first president; author of three editions of a college music text book; Music Educators National Conference chairperson; Missouri Music Education-Elementary vice-president; Independence Community Teachers Association president; Association for Childhood education board member; Adjunct professor for Central Missouri State University, University of Kansas and University of Missouri-Kansas City; Outstanding Educator in America award, 1973-74; and was selected as the American Association of University Women (Women of Achievement) in 1974. Along with all of these, Aleta never tired of teaching about scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, writing articles and stories for the Herald and the Daily Bread, directing choirs and presenting classes, workshops and programs.

Aleta was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Leroy Runkle, and her husband. She leaves behind a loving family who wish her God-speed into the presence of the Father: her brother, Jerry Runkle, his wife Wilma, of Independence, MO, Pauling Rowan a sister-in-law, also of Independence, MO, three nieces and a nephew along with the family that she inherited with her marriage to Norman. Those daughter and son include Judy Kruzich and her husband Mick of Berryville, AR, Sherie Page of Independence, MO, Bonnie Damon and her husband Ralph of Blue Springs, MO, Marti Marlin of Springfield, MO, Laura Schmidt and her husband Jack of Pelham, AL and David Page of Grandview, MO and seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed but we leave her in the hands of God for His blessing and deep rest. Memorial contributions am be made to Alzheimer�s Association Heartland Chapter P.O. Box 8076 Prairie Village, KS 66208-0076