Marian Guiver Runnells

Marian Guiver Runnells passed away peacefully on January 10, 2016 from an extended illness. She is finally united with Bob, the love of her life and her dog Tony, with whom she was inseparable. At age 91, she lived life to the fullest. 

On June 2, 1924, Marian was born at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah to C. Bert and Lillian Lawless Guiver.  She was the youngest of 4 children. Marian graduated from East High School and attended the University of Utah taking classes towards nursing. 

She met her beloved Bob while working at S. H. Kress Company in Salt Lake City when Bob rescued her from a dead rodent found in a box. Their love and respect for each other was unending. Bob was her "million dollar baby that she met at the 5 & 10 cent store". 

She was married to Robert Raymond Runnells on October 15, 1943 at Minter Army Airfield in Bakersfield, California during World War II. They moved to numerous places during his military career and made many lifelong friendships. During the war, she worked as a receptionist, typist, clerk, and a civil service job for the U. S. Corps of Engineers at Fort Douglas. 

After the war, Marian and Bob moved to Chicago, IL for dental school at Northwestern University. In 1951, they moved back to Salt Lake City to begin his dental practice. She worked as his assistant until they started their family. 

Marian had many passions in life. Her first horse "Sandy" sparked her enormous love of animals. In 1968, Marian and Bob moved to Fruit Heights, UT when her lifelong dream of having enough land to care for abandoned and lost animals came to fruition. Their "farm" was a haven for horses, dogs, and cats. Together they became experts in raising, breeding, and showing champion Saddlebred, Quarter, and Thoroughbred horses. Marian was still riding her horses until age 80. She also had a great interest in researching genealogy especially the Battle of Gettysburg. 

Marian was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church attending at First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Marian is survived by her daughters Janet Kelley and Robyn Larkin (Rod), brother-in-law Don Runnells (Erika), foster-daughter Rosalie Reed, 6 grandchildren (Ryan, Jeremy, Erin, Brian, Derek, and David), and 7 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held at First United Methodist church on Tuesday, January 19th at 12 pm. One hour prior to the services, family and friends may gather to share their memories of Marian. Following her burial, a memorial luncheon will be served at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Marian's name to First United Methodist Church (203 South 200 East, Salt Lake City UT 84111-2437).  Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com.