Bernice Ronning

RONNING—Bernice Ronning, 87, of Florence, passed away July 6, 2012.

Bernice was born June 8, 1925, in Crosby, N.D., to Ole Olson Flolo and Bertha Gabrielsdatter Raad Flolo, and grew up an only child.

The family moved to Eugene, Ore., while Bernice was in her teens. She later graduated from Eugene High School and the Eugene Beauty School at the same time.

On a blind date, Bernice met her future husband, a young sailor named Harold Ronning. They eloped in 1943, and Bernice went from being an only child to the youngest of a large Norwegian clan.

After Harold’s service was complete, the Ronnings moved to Glenada, Ore., where both had family. They had four sons and ran two local businesses: a beauty shop in Old Town and Harold’s Trading Post on Highway 101 from the 1960s through the 1980s.

They later divorced, but Bernice continued to run the trading post until she retired.

She had many interests, including keeping up correspondence with family in North Dakota and Norway.

She was also an avid puzzle enthusiast, loved crafts, sewing, embroidery, making latch-hook wall hangings, as well as knitting countless blankets, hats and booties for children’s charities.

She is survived by her four sons: Carl Ronning of Florence, Troy and Gale (Jackson) Ronning of Westlake, Joel Ronning, and Harlynn and Cherie (Goodwin) Ronning; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

At her request, no memorial service is planned.

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