MELISSA RENEE RUNNELS ELKINS, 40, recently of Skagit County in Washington State, passed away unexpectedly in Fairbanks, Alaska on Saturday, September 18, 2004 of a cerebral aneurysm.
She was born on July 19, 1964 in Everett, Washington, the daughter of Michael & Kathleen Runnels. ‘Lisa’ attended school in Delta Junction, AK, and always thought of Delta as her home. She moved with her family to Chicopee, MA and from there joined the United States Army. Lisa served from 1982 to 1988, rising to the rank of E-5 in Military Intelligence, where she became known as ‘The Sarge’.
She loved traveling in foreign countries and celebrating Octoberfest, both in Germany and here at home. The Army helped her to see most of the United States, but Lisa was happiest curled up in her chair with her dog, a warm blanket and a good book.
Lisa is survived by her husband, Jeff Elkins; 2 daughters, Natasha & Alyssa Gutmeir and son, Brendan Morris; Her father and mother, Bill & Kathy Schreir; her brother, Shaun Runnels Jana; her sisters, Michele Russell Lee & Malane Leddusire Frank; nieces, Karaden, Jennifer, Katelyn, Emily, Abby and Lexi; nephews, Mike, Will, Jon, Jessie, Frankie, Tom, Nicholai and Kenny; her former husbands, David Montgomery and Monte Gutmeir; her aunts and uncles; numerous close cousins and many, many dear friends who were all carried in her huge loving heart. Lisa nestled so many under her wings she often forgot about herself, now we are all under her wings.
Lisa was met by her father, Mike Runnels; her grandparents, John & Myrtle Larson and Tom & Margaret Runnels and her dog of 20 years, Tiger, who greeted her with open arms and wagging tail to walk together through Summerland. Oh Lisa, how we will miss you, but we’ll see you again soon.
Cremation was under the direction of the Chapel of The Chimes in Fairbanks, Alaska.
A Graveside Memorial service will be held on Saturday October 2, 2004 at 12 noon in the Veteran’s Section of Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Chaplain Bob Milligan officiating. Full military honors will provided by the George Baldridge Post 43 American Legion of Sedro-Woolley with flag presentation by General Robert Westphall, U.S. Army, Retired.