Alma Ronningen

Alma Karen Ronningen, 84, of Fergus Falls, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025 surrounded by family, under hospice care.

Alma Karen Westergard was born on "the farm" in rural Otter Tail County, on Jan 15, 1941 to Anton and Olga (Carter) Westergard. Growing up in the rolling hills and woods of rural Maplewood township gave Alma a lifelong love, curiosity and appreciation for nature. When she got together with siblings, it was always a treat to hear the stories of all the adventures she shared with them.

She attended a one room country school through eighth grade, then went to Pelican Rapids schools, where she was the first in her family to graduate from high school, near the top of class (one step below having to speak at graduation). She then embarked on a number of life adventures, working at a restaurant with her sisters on the North Shore, traveling around the area to enjoy live bands- Alma was in the audience at the Fargo Armory to learn firsthand that Buddy Holly had died- going to stock car races, and so much more. Her desire to experience new things further afield took her first to a job in Minneapolis, then to Weisbaden, Germany for a civilian job with the Army.

In 1966, she returned to Minnesota, marrying Marvin Ronningen in Moorhead, MN on August 3, 1968. Once daughter Leah was born, the family decided to move to a 10-acre property in Baker, where Alma could garden, sometimes cultivating up to two acres, raising all manner of poultry, goats, and an occasional pig. During those years, she worked various seasonal farm and agricultural jobs. Her kids cherish that growing up experience. Even if she did refuse to purchase a new television when the one, they had started to smoke. It became a nice plant stand. She had a great sense of humor and a deep love of music. Her musical tastes were broad and eclectic, ranging from Dylan to Stan Freberg, and now all three kids can sing from memory many of the 45s she bought from the jukebox. Her quick, sometimes dry sense of humor made Monty Python, Pogo, Fawlty Towers and Mad Magazine favorites.

Once Marvin retired, the call of Maplewood Township drew them both in, and they settled into "the woods" near Star Lake. Ever interested in learning new things, she and Marvin joined a woodworking club, carving while he scroll sawed. For years, she led an exercise class in Dent with a group of her friends, using the same trusty VHS tape. They went camping, mom joined birding groups, and went to Maplewood Lutheran Church. Mom embraced technology, adopting social media, email and more with ease.

Alma's routine stayed mostly the same for a number of years after Marvin passed away, except she accepted invites to go on adventures, traveling with Julia, Carl and Leah to Sweden and Denmark, to Hawaii and Idaho, on a small ship cruise in Alaska (where, while watching glacial ice float by as she sat in a hot tub for the first time in her life at age 82, she casually mentioned that Alaska had been on her bucket list). She went to concerts with Leah, including Iris DeMent, and shared crafting, puzzle-making and literature explorations with Joel and Alana. One day, she sent an email to let the kids know it was time to stop climbing on the Star Lake house roof to chop ice dams, and she moved into the apartment in Fergus Falls.

Alma is preceded in death by her husband Marvin, her parents, her siblings Phyllis, Adrian, Annette, and Arthur.

She is survived by her children, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law; Julia (Carl) Rundberg, Boise, ID; Joel (Alana) Ronningen, Apple Valley, MN; Leah Ronningen, Moorhead, MN; her sister Alvina Lien, Dilworth, MN; brother-in-law, Evan (Lonnie) Ronningen of Seattle, WA; so many generations of nieces and nephews, and friends everywhere.

Alma will be remembered every time we stop to listen to a bird, marvel at a view or examine a flower.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Olson Funeral and Cremation Chapel in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service.

Clergy: Pastor Jim Bjork

Interment: Maplewood Lutheran Cemetery, rural Erhard, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com