BOONE, Iowa—Jay Allan Runestad was born in Highmore, South Dakota, on July 7, 1938. He was the third of five children born to John and Amelia Hale Runestad. Jay grew up on his parents’ farm and worked there and in the nearby town of Highmore. He attended the neighborhood country school and then Highmore High School. Before his marriage to Judith Anne King in 1959, he attended the South Dakota School of Mines. Thereafter he studied at the University of Wyoming and South Dakota State University, earning graduate degrees in physics, chemistry, and engineering. Jay went on to earn his Professional Engineer’s license.
Over the years, Jay and Judy welcomed seven children, and he was a devoted husband and father. For several years Jay taught country school, and later taught math and science at the high school from which he graduated. The family eventually moved to Boone, Iowa, in 1975, when Jay began working for Portland Cement Association. His engineering expertise and ag background made him ideal for his job, which would transition to the position of Executive Director of the North Central Cement Promotion Association until his retirement in 2003. During his years of employment, he also taught classes at the Boone DMACC campus, and enjoyed long-distance running and cycling. After retirement, he was active in the ag engineering and cement industries, belonged to professional organizations, and did consulting work.
After increasing health complications in the past few years, Jay was recently hospitalized and then moved to the Eastern Star home in Boone. He passed on during the night of Thursday, October 20.
Jay was predeceased by his parents, his mother- and father-in-law, his brother Alvin who died in infancy, his brother John, his sister Maxine, and his sister- and brother-in-law Bob and Bernice Ellsworth. He is survived by his wife Judith, and their children and families: Janelle Runestad and Todd Sirotiak of Ames, and their children Zoe and Arie; Julie and Joe Fay of Marion, and their children Michael and Callie, and grandson Malcolm; Jay Jr. and Cheryl Runestad of Boone, and their children Anna, James, and John; Jerilyn and Mark Mueller of Waverly, and their children Katie and Sarah; Jackie and Bob Connour of Finlay, Ohio, and their children Lewis, Maria, and Joey; Sarah and Dave Young of Baltimore, Maryland, and their children Eleanor, Elizabeth, and Rachel; and Anders and Carrie Runestad of Boone, and their children Emma, Nicholas, Ian, and Mia. He is also survived by his sister Alma Jean Lucas of Wakefield, Michigan, and by many cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and other relatives.
Jay had a lifelong love of everything mechanical, enjoyed fixing and upgrading around the house, and found time for experimenting on DIY projects of his own. He had a fun sense of humor, and enjoyed puzzles, games, reading fiction and non-fiction, and watching British TV comedies. Always eager to be useful, Jay could be counted on for hands-on help on anything from home renovations to plumbing to cars and could always think of creative solutions to any problem. Jay was an active gardener and landscaper, loved to cook, and was devoted to spending time with family.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone, Iowa, with a rosary at 6:30 P.M. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at the church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Suncrest Hospice.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets is in charge of arrangements.
Jay Runestad, 84, Boone, Iowa
