Marita Joy Ronning, age 68, of Minnesota and Arizona, died unexpectedly at the Cambridge Medical Center on May 23, 2019. A Celebration of Life service will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 8th at Springvale Campground in Stanchfield; 36955 Palm St NW Stanchfield, MN 55080.
Marita Joy Ronning was born to Arnold and Viola Sjoquist on March 20, 1951 in Cloquet, MN. Her family later moved to Duluth, MN where she attended St. Peters School and graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School in 1969. She went to work for Superior National Forest until moving to Minneapolis, where she worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service until she retired in 2009.
Rita and her husband winter in Apache Junction, AZ, where she enjoys quilting and volunteering weekly with the parks bingo program. She enjoyed traveling. Summers were spent at Springvale Campground in Stanchfield, MN, where she loved to play horseshoes and spoil the grandchildren. She also volunteered for Cheerful Givers (children’s charity).
Rita was a member of the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She did volunteering at the Indian Center on Franklin Avenue.
She passed away suddenly on May 23, 2019 at the age of 68. She is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Rich and wife, Stephanie Ronning and Jason Ronning; her grandchildren, Chelsie and Jocelyn; and many nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.
Rita will be sadly missed by everyone.
My condolences to Rich and their family. Rita will be very missed.
I am so glad I got to see you in Phoenix. I miss you more and more every day. You will be missed by many, loved by all. I love you mom!!!!!!!
Rich: I am so sorry to hear about Rita’s passing. She was such a instrumental person here at Northern Research Station and working with us at State and Private Forestry group. She was very friendly and helpful, to work with. She will be missed by all here and our prayers and thought are with you and your family.
My condolences to Rita’s family. I met Rita through work at the FS. She was a kind, thoughtful, funny person. I was glad I was able to keep in touch via facebook after her retirement. She will be missed.
I am just reading this now. So sorry to hear about this beautiful woman. Going down the river with her and Rick was always that extra treat of their relationship. When you see a dragonfly just know she is watching over.