Danny “Runk” Wayne Runkle, 79, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026, after his struggle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, with his wife, Deb, by his side.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the University of Dubuque John and Alice Butler Hall at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 15th, 2026. Following the service all are invited to gather for a social time until 4:00 p.m. Private burial will be in Littleton Cemetery, Littleton, Illinois. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road is assisting the family.

Runk was a respected coach, athletic administrator, mentor, and leader of athletes. He left a legacy marked by integrity, dedication, and service to student-athletes and the universities he served.

Dan was born in Rushville, Illinois. He was the eldest son of Wayne and Shirley Runkle and spent his early years growing up on the family farm. In high school, Dan was a three-sport athlete and was involved in 4-H and other leadership activities. He attended Illinois College (’68), where he was a three-sport athlete, earned ten varsity letters, served as basketball team captain, and received the Al Miller Award for highest GPA. Illinois College helped shape Dan into the leader and mentor whose influence would span decades and touch countless lives.

Dan is survived by his spouse, Debra “Wilks” Runkle. They were married on August 1, 1992. He was blessed with two children from a previous marriage, Tad and Sara, and was an immensely proud grandfather of Owen and Julian.

Runk was hired at Mankato State University (MSU) in 1981 as head football coach to restart the program, a role he held until 2001. Prior to MSU, he built a distinguished coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Utah, the University of South Dakota (USD), Northern Arizona University, and the University of Minnesota. He was known not only for his knowledge of the game, but more importantly for his ability to develop student-athletes into disciplined competitors and responsible young adults. His teams and staff consistently reflected core values of preparation, accountability, and respect, and promoted the true spirit of an athlete’s life. Runk believed it was vital for student-athletes and staff to honor their families and friends, show respect for their university, and take personal responsibility for their actions.

When Dan retired from coaching in 2001, he began his second career as Director of Athletics at the University of Dubuque (UD). Under Runk’s leadership, UD grew from a conference doormat into a respected leader in both the conference and NCAA Division III. Dan ushered in a new era of UD athletics, including significant facility upgrades and the expansion of sports programs, coaching staffs, athletic training, and strength programs. UD won several conference titles and produced numerous all-conference, all-region, All-American, and national champions. The common thread throughout his career as both coach and administrator was his conviction that winning was important, but only in service to earning a degree and becoming a good and principled person. He strongly believed in building sustained programs rather than relying on quick fixes.

His accolades include, but are not limited to, induction into the USD, NAU, and UD Athletic Halls of Fame. He remains the winningest coach in MSU history with 108 wins. He won two North Central Conference (NCC) championships and led three NCAA Division II playoff appearances. While at MSU, he was named NCC Coach of the Year and was also named Football Gazette Division II National Coach of the Year in 1991. Two of his student-athletes were Harlon Hill Award finalists for NCAA Division II Player of the Year. UD honored Dan and Deb by naming two athletic facilities: the “Dan W. Runkle Baseball Field” and the “Debra Rae Runkle Center.”

He is survived by his wife, Debra Runkle, of Dubuque, Iowa; a son, Tad Runkle, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; a daughter, Sara Runkle (Gene Kennedy), of West Springfield, Massachusetts; and his grandchildren, Julian and Owen Kennedy. He is also survived by his siblings: Joann (Rich) Hulet of North Port, Florida; Amy (Randy) Mercer of Lexington, North Carolina; and Kenny (Lisa) Runkle of Rushville, Illinois. He is further survived by his in-laws: Sondra (John) Ross, Janene Wilkins, and Amy (James Thomas) Larson; and by nieces and nephews who held a special place in his heart: Natalie (Paul) Griffioen, Joseph Runkle, Hannah, Mia, and Cameron Mercer, Logan (TJ) Korthour, Chloe (Braxton) Larson, Jack Larson, and Christina Ross; and his great-nephew, Tyce Korthour. Runk hoped that the many extended families who referred to him as grandpa, coach, mentor, or friend would also be filled with warm memories of their time together.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents and his wife’s parents: Wayne and Shirley Runkle, and Russ and Charlene Wilkins.

The family would like to thank Eva M. Carmona Porquera, MD, of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Pulmonary Care, especially for her knowledge of IPF and her work with Dubuque physicians; M. McKenna, MD; Kahn, MD; and their staffs; as well as Hospice of Dubuque and UnityPoint Health. Honoring his wishes, through organ donation the gift of life will be shared with many individuals.

In remembrance of Runk’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the University of Dubuque Elementary and Secondary Education Program, Hospice of Dubuque, or the charity of your choice.