Virginia Ronning

Virginia A. Ronning, 86, of Ettrick, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

Virginia was born in Galesville on May 25, 1939, to Carlie and Florence “Ruth” (Onsrud) Johnson. She was united in marriage to Donald Ronning on June 27, 1959, at French Creek Lutheran Church, and together the couple raised 2 children. Virginia was a teacher at the Hegg School and also substituted in Blair. She worked at the factory in Ettrick and also at John’s 1-Stop Gas Station. Virginia loved to tend to her flowers and decorate her house and yard for every holiday and season. The splendor of her yard created a beautiful habitat for birds of all kind to visit her feeders and for her to watch, but also earned multiple yard awards from her community. Virginia also enjoyed listening to music, painting, sewing and quilting. She was a faithful member of French Creek Lutheran Church, the Sons of Norway, and together with her husband, Don, was named Ettrick’s Citizens of the year in 2007.

Virginia is survived by her children: Keith (Christine) Ronning of Galesville and Tricia (Daryl Hjornevik) Ronning of Hixton; grandchildren: Kara (Erik) Pyka, Hunter (Jenna Johnson) and Hayden Hjornevik; great-grandchildren: Emree and Ender Pyka; siblings: Gloria (Bob) Nordstrom, Jim (Carol) Johnson, and Joyce (Mary) Johnson; sisters-in-law: Elsie Ronning and Janice Ronning; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, on July 25, 2025; siblings: Dennis Johnson and Carol Redsten; and nephew: Austin Johnson.

A Celebration of Virginia’s Life will be held beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Ettrick Township Hall in Ettrick. Virginia will be laid to rest in French Creek Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ettrick, at a later date.