Thys Runia

Thys Runia, the husband, father, brother, grand-father great-grandfather and friend to so many, passed away peacefully and among family October 31, 2015. Thys leaves behind four children, 19 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.
 
Thys Runia was born on May 2nd, 1927 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Gerrit and Ernestina Runia. He and his only sibling, his elder brother Gerrit, enjoyed a happy childhood beginning in Amsterdam, and later in Heiloo, near the Dutch Coast.  They most especially loved playing Dutch "voetbal" (soccer), Thys even going on to play semi-professionally for the Dutch team, Alkmaarsche Boys. His enthusiasm for Dutch soccer remained his entire life, and his passion for the sport was filtered through his children onto his grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.  
 
Despite a mostly blissful childhood, Thys and his family endured the pain and hardships of WWII while living in the Netherlands.  His memories, infrequently spoke of, included the pains of separation from him and his brother, both of whom were forced into hiding due to German recruitment. The war years would go on to shape Thys' life direction and focus, particularly of providing a place of peace and contentment for him and his family, which he successfully obtained.
 
After the war, Thys and his family, as valiant members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, answered the call to come to Zion.  In 1950, His parents, with Thys following a few months after, boarded a boat to America, and eventually landed in Salt Lake City, Utah. There Thys met his beloved wife, Christina Hendrika Meister, another Dutch convert whom also had recently immigrated from The Netherlands.  They were married November 19, 1951.
 
Thys and Christina raised their four children, Ron, Linda, Ed, and Scott, in Salt Lake City.  Thys worked at the Chevron Refinery for 32 years and upon retiring, served two missions for the LDS church to his homeland, The Netherlands, with his sweet and most lovely wife, Tina, by his side.  He had great devotion for sharing and spreading his conviction for eternal joy and eternal families.
 
Thys loved people and continued in work and volunteering ventures that enabled him to meet others and brighten and lighten the load of life, up until his passing.  His optimism and enthusiasm for living was expansive, as well as his love and admiration for his family.  He advocated, to all around him, the happiness found in familial bonds and relationships.
 
Thys is preceded in death by his wife Christina Hendrika Meister Runia (1930-1997), his father Gerrit Runia (1989-1950), his mother Ernestina Sipkima (1901-1978), his brother Gerrit Runia (1924-2007), and his grandson Ryan S. Runia (1982-2013).
 
Thys is survived by his son Ron (Debbie) Runia, daughter Linda (Scott) Ames, son Ed Runia, and son R. Scott (Tamara) Runia.
 
Viewing services will be held for Thys on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.  On Saturday, November 7, 2015, Viewing services from 9:45-10:45 am and Funeral service at 11:00 am will be located at the Chase Lane Ward LDS Chapel at 1125 N 400 W, Centerville, Utah.  Interment, Centerville City Cemetery.