Susan Ronning 05/26/2026

Susan Donovetsky Ronning, age 80, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Susan was born on July 28, 1945, at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. Her family moved to Millburn where Susan attended South Mountain Elementary School, later graduating from Millburn High School. Upon graduation, Susan headed west, enrolling in the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She majored in history and education. On September 22, 1965, while attending Russian history class, at 9:55 a.m. she sat down next to a guy she had never seen before. At the conclusion of the class they spoke their first words to each other. After that meeting they were seldom seen separately. Susan completed her degree and became a history and English teacher at New Richmond Middle School. She taught there for 33 years and for many years has maintained affection for “her kids” who she would see in the community. Throughout her life Susan maintained her love and interest in history. She was a voracious reader of history and historical fiction. She mastered the art of making superb lefse. She also happily knitted several Scandinavian sweaters and countless pairs of mittens.

Susan married the stranger from her history class on June 6, 1967 at the Unitarian Meeting House in Madison. They moved to New Richmond and eventually to Star Prairie. They built a home in the woods where they raised a wonderful family that included Emily Anne, Eleanor Soon Young, and Andrew Sung Woo. They also had several exceptional dogs . . . currently George Michael Bluth. Susan was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She had a keen sense of humor and deep compassion for others. Susan and her husband Jon would have celebrated 59 years of marriage in June.
Susan was preceded in death by her father Mike Donovetsky, her mother Lea Hausner Donovetsky, her sister Paula Resnick, and her niece Liz Resnick. She is survived by her husband Jon, her daughters Emily and Eleanor, her son Andrew, a wonderful son-in-law Jay Mac Bride, granddaughter Maddy Ronning Mac Bride, niece Amy Resnick and nephew Michael Resnick, and many dear friends including Mona and Tom Johnson and Edna and Denny Early.

Susan’s family is grateful for the loving care provided for over two years by the staff– Lisa, Liz, Stephanie, Cassie and Bethany–at the DaVita Dialysis Center in Stillwater, Minnesota.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held on Friday, June 12 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the RCU Foundation Meeting Room South at the New Richmond Community Library.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the New Richmond Community Library.

https://newrichmondlibrary.org/friends-of-the-library/