Kim Bettina Ruhnke

Kim Bettina Ruhnke (Wallner), 56, went home to be with the Lord on April 28, 2020, in Asheville, NC.

Kim was born on April 2, 1964, in Fort Dix, to David Lewis and Jean Frady. When she was four years old, she and her sister were adopted in Duluth, MN, by Robert and Helga Wallner. She graduated Central High School in 1982, where she shined as a student-athlete, played in the band, and loved competing against her sister in swim meets. She moved to North Carolina in 2002, to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kim enjoyed fishing, hiking, horses, taking in stranded animals, creating art, listening to music, and spending time with her grandchildren, especially little “Jane Jane.”

She is preceded in death by her birth parents, Jean Frady and David Lewis, her brother Michael Bowen, her aunt and uncle Carol and Delano Frady, and her grandson Mason.

She is survived by her parents Robert and Helga Wallner, sister Marcy Wallner, children Bettina Keppers, (Jamie Haugen), Danielle Keppers, Brock Keppers, and Kaylene Runhke; grandchildren Baamlak, Gage, Connor, Chris, Davion, and Janie; and nieces Monica DeCaro (Aaron), Rachel Smith, and Mariah Smith.

A memorial service for Kim is being planned for later this year.