Georgia Hart Raun was born on January 25, 1925 on a cold and snowy day in Sioux City, Iowa to Clarence Ira Hart and Arline Hughes Hart. Throughout her life, she focused her vibrant warmth on making sure those in her family and those around her knew they were heard, valued, and valued. She made this world a better place for over 98 years and died on a beautiful Easter day on April 9th, 2023.
Georgia spent her school days on a farm near loved ones in the community of Gillett Grove, Iowa. She then attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake and was passionate about a variety of campus activities. She met her future husband, Earle S. Raun, in Buena Vista, and their relationship grew through their shared interests, including the outdoors, education, the arts, and participating in sporting events. After graduating from college, Georgia spent two years teaching junior high students in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Georgia and Earle married in 1946 in Orlando, Florida, where Raun was conducting mosquito research for the USDA. Georgia’s fond memories of their early life together included spending time on Florida beaches and an extended work stint in Cuernavaca, Mexico. In 1948 the couple moved to Ames, Iowa, where Earle received his Ph.D. at Lowa State and later served on the faculty there. Their 3 daughters were born in Ames where many lasting friendships were forged.
In 1966 the family moved to Nebraska, where Dr. Raun headed the Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Georgia has been active as a leader of Camp Fire Girls, a member of the PTA and the Faculty Women’s Club. For over thirty years she was a dedicated volunteer reader for Christian Record Services’ blind services. She was employed as a Welcome Wagon hostess for nearly two decades and was an innovator at the local Welcome Wagon Club. She enjoyed encouraging and supporting neighborhood and community relationships of all kinds. Georgia and her husband were very active members of the Crestwood Christian Church in Lincoln.
She embodied a lifelong commitment to physical, mental and spiritual health, an openness to different perspectives: positivity, gratitude, hospitality and humor. She chose to see the best in people and circumstances and beauty in simple things.
Most recently, she lived in the Eastmost Retirement Community and spent the final months of her life at her eldest daughter’s home in Illinois.
Georgia preceded her husband Earle Raun in death; sister, Claire Maurine Cunningham; brother, Tom Hart; and son-in-law Richard Doll. Her memory is carried on by her three daughters, Michele Womontree, Nancy Raun and Patricia Raun; daughter-in-law Deb Skirvin; son-in-law, Alan Weinstein; grandchildren, Ben and Zach Weinstein-Raun; sisters-in-law, Ruth Raun and Judy Hart; and many loving family and friends whose lives touched her.
Friends and family can choose to celebrate their lives by continuing the practices that have guided them. Respond to the opportunities that come your way to build connections of love and support for the people in your life.
The cremation was performed by the Lincoln Land Cremation Society.
Memorial donations can be made to the Larson Lifestyle Center https://ucollege.edu/fit/give or the People’s City Mission https://pcmlincoln.org in Lincoln, Nebraska.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Georgia, please visit our tree store or plant a tree.
Published by the Lincoln Land Cremation Society on April 11, 2023.
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