Runa H. Sveen

Runa Sveen, 93, died Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at the Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, Mountain, ND following a brief illness. Gudrun H. "Runa" Eastman was born on the family farm in Akra Township, Pembina County, ND on February 26, 1919 to Sigurbjorn "Barney" and Christine (Dinusson) Eastman. She was the youngest of six children. Runa grew up in the Akra-Hallson area, attending elementary school at the Eastman School and graduated Cavalier High School in 1937. She later attended Wahpeton State School of Science. Runa married Ernest Sveen of Edinburg, ND on May 15, 1942. While Ernest served in World War II, Runa worked at the Pembina County Courthouse in Cavalier, ND. When the war ended they lived and farmed in the Edinburg area where they were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a 42 year member of the Legion Auxiliary and for many years a member of the Daffodil Study Club, rural Edinburg. Runa was very proud of her Icelandic heritage and that she had been a member of the Hallson Lutheran Church, which is now located at the Icelandic State Park. From a very young age she had a true passion for rhythm and dance and was proud of all the music in her family. Another passion was her love of the outdoors, even as a young child. She loved children, music, china painting, embroidery and baking. Survivors include her daughter and three sons: Judy (Dennis) Lunde, Boca Raton, FL; Richard, Fargo, ND; Randy, Edinburg, ND and Russell (Susan), Carmel, IN; her grandchildren: Darrin (Jennifer) Lunde, James (Stacey) Lunde, both of Boca Raton, FL; Madison & Erik Sveen, Carmel, IN; her great grandchild Devin Lunde, Boca Raton, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters: Johanna Quist and Emily (Jobe) Magnusson and three brothers: Andrew, Dan and Fred. Funeral services will be Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Edinburg, ND. Visitation will be Sunday from 3-5 PM with a prayer service at 5:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Edinburg. Friends may also call at the church on Monday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Edinburg, ND. The family would request memorials to the Borg Pioneer Memorial Home in Mountain, ND.