Barbara Jean Runge

Barbara Jean Runge, 80, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026. Barb devoted her life to family, faith, and service, and lived those with conviction.

She was born on November 2, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of John and Mildred (Adams) Leavel. Her parents taught her to see the dignity in every person, a lesson Barb carried throughout her life. When her Parkville, Missouri, school desegregated in 1955, one classmate refused to sit by a Black student – a friend of Barb’s. Barb and two of her friends volunteered to sit with her. Barb also participated in the 1963 March on Washington while still in high school.

Barb earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Missouri, and taught fifth-grade English in Kansas City, Missouri. She later worked as a substitute teacher until the birth of her daughter, Heather.

Barb married Richard (Dick) Thomas Runge on June 13, 1970, in Kansas City, Missouri. The family then lived in Boise, Idaho, for a time before moving to McPherson, Kansas. There, Barb wrote features for the McPherson Sentinel and served as Christian Education Director at First Christian Church. She later became regional coordinator for the Kansas Disciples Women of the Kansas Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

After Barb and Dick moved to Topeka in 2004, Barb became an active member of the First Christian Church in Topeka.

Barb enjoyed reading, baking, and many church activities. But above all, the roles Barb prized most were wife, mother, and grandmother.

Dick preceded Barb in death on August 14, 2025. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Donald D. Leavel.

Survivors include daughter Heather (Chris) Bieker; granddaughter Madeline Bieker; and nephews William Leavel and Logan Leavel.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage, Topeka, Kansas 66604. Private family inurnment will take place later that day.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Topeka, or to the Disciples Center at Tawakoni, c/o Christian Church in Kansas, P.O. Box 4195, Topeka, KS 66604.