Rev. Donald M. Ronning

Donald Morgan Ronning was born in Spicer, MN, on Green Lake, on June 8, 1915, to Otto and Martha Ronning. He attended grade school in Spicer and graduated from Willmar (MN) High School in 1934.

Don enrolled at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, and graduated in 1938. He immediately entered Augsburg Seminary and graduated in 1941.
It was in his sophomore year in high school that Don became a Christian after a difficult struggle with discipleship and commitment to the Lord. He was grateful for the Christians at Green Lake Lutheran Church, in rural Spicer, who helped him spiritually.

Because his parents were very poor, he had to work himself through school, working most of the time in restaurants and grocery stores in the summer months.

During the summer months, while in seminary, Don served in Grafton, ND, assisting six churches without pastors. He was ordained in Morris, MN.

It was during a weekend, when a group of seminary students were sent to the small town of Cyrus, MN, that Don met his wife-to-be. Borghild Tinseth and Don were married October 4, 1941, at Cyrus Lutheran Free Church. To this union were born four children: Donald D., Merrill, Ruth and Philip.
Don served parishes in Hawley, MN, Valley City, ND, Fosston, MN, Fargo, ND, and Park River, ND.

During his ministry he was honored to have served on the Board of Regents of Oak Grove Lutheran High School, executive committee of the Eastern North Dakota Synod (ELCA), Santal Mission Board, Lutheran Hospitals & Homes, and on the Board of the Commission
Don died on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, in MeritCare Palliative Care Unit, Fargo, at the age of ninety-four.
Don is predeceased in death by his brothers, Raymond and Harry; and his son, Donald. He is survived by his wife, Borghild; his daughter, Ruth (Th
Memorials may be sent to Lutheran World Relief or Oak Grove Lutheran School in memory of Don.

Memorial Service: Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 2 PM in Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo.