Anita Runnels

Anita’s passion was a ministry of service. She was certified as a Lay Pastoral Minister in the 80’s. She was dedicated to Church. She planned services at Nativity, did book keeping for Nativity School, she did the first communion preparation at St Aloysius and St Charles. Her advice to her grandchildren was “go to church and pray often”. Over the years, she and Art worked at various schools helping kindergarten age children learn to read, helping with preschool children with disabilities, and caring for patients as Chaplains at Christ Hospital for many years. She was a big volunteer of the Girl Scouts including taking both of her daughters through the Marian Medal Award Program. She enjoyed her career as an X-ray Technologist at General Electric until she had her first child and then took on her new role as mother. Based on her experience as a tech, she always considered herself ‘medical’, meaning she could have clinical conversations with others in the medical field. She was relentless in letting other professionals know she was ‘medical.’ Within a few months of moving into the Lodge Assisted Living Center she, ran for the office of President of the Resident Council. The staff at the Lodge said she not only had a passion for the job, but was also had a talent as Madame President. Anita was always ready to have fun!! Everyone truly enjoyed spending time with her. In her advice to her Grandchildren she said “be kind and nice and you will always have lots of friends” She loved hosting parties, gatherings, family events, Christmas events and entertaining. She was famous for asking ‘where are we going to eat tonight?’ Shopping was a favorite activity. And even when she could no longer physically go on her own, QVC and Home Shopping Network became her shopping fix. She truly enjoyed travel. Whether going to a different Kentucky State Park each summer in the 60’s and early 70’s, to many fun locations when traveling to convention spots for St. Anthony Messenger with Art, or exotic vacations with her sister Grace and husband Charles to South America, Florida, and Rome. She talked fondly about traveling Route 66 to visit her brother, Father Herb Effler, while he was serving the American Indian missions and her brother-in-law, Bob Runnels, stationed in the military. She also enjoyed traveling around Colorado while visiting her daughter Cary and her husband Craig. Mom was born and raised in Reading, Ohio. She met her husband Art at a dance and in 1953, was married at Saint Peter and Paul Church in Reading. She was a bride born-again at the celebration that many of us enjoyed for their golden wedding anniversary. Anita and Art have three children Cary Spain, Andi Alexander and Herb Runnels. She also has four grandchildren – Jack Alexander, Molly Alexander, Corinne Runnels and Everett Runnels. She is the sister of Victor (Vera) Effler, Grace Heising and the late Mary Alfkin, Fr. Herb Effler, O.F.M., Eddie Effler, Lawrence Effler and Laura Rabe. Visitation at Nativity Church, 5935 Pandora Ave., Pleasant Ridge, Thursday from 4:30 p.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 6 p.m. Blessing at Hodapp Funeral Home, 7401 Vine St., Carthage, Friday 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Soup Kitchen, 14 E. Liberty, Cincinnati, Oh 45202.