Virginia L. Ronish, 101, of Rhinelander, passed away March 5 at home surrounded by the love of her family and with her daughter at her side. She was born in Omaha, Neb., on Dec. 17, 1910.

She attended the University of South Dakota, where she was a member of Alpha Phi Fraternity. It was there she met and married her love, Donley Ronish. Together they raised their daughter, living in Sioux City, Iowa, Fremont, Neb., Guthrie, Okla., and Lawton, Okla., as Donley advanced in his career with Fairmont Foods Corp. She was an avid bridge player, golfer, as well as a member of several garden clubs, book clubs, American Association of University Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Eastern Star. Her greatest passion however, always remained being a wife and mother and later a grand-mother and great-grand-mother. Upon Donley’s retirement they moved to Santa Clarita in Southern California to be near their daughter and her family. After Donley’s death in 1979 she became a frequent world traveler, visiting almost every country with various groups of friends. She treasured her friendships in the many bridge clubs she played in and helped run in Friendly Valley Retirement Community. In 2002 she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Rhinelander to share a house on Lake Creek next door to her cherished grand-daughter and family. For 91/2 years she enjoyed watching the birds and wildlife in the backyard and the beauty of Northern Wisconsin’s changing seasons. Her devotion to her family was absolute, and nothing delighted her more than having her “kids” come up the path through the trees between the houses to see their “GG”.

She is survived by her beloved daughter and son-in-law Sydney and Michael Moran, her adoring granddaughter and husband Heather and Brian Sturtevant, and her great-granddaughter, Raven Sturtevant who always filled her life with sunshine. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law, Mary Jo Wachtler of St. Paul, Minn, and her brother-in-law, Patrick Cahill of Woonsocket, S.D. She was preceded by her husband, and a brother-in-law, Fr. Neil Cahill, S.J. of Omaha, Neb.

Virginia was a compassionate, caring, unselfish woman who touched the lives of countless people in her amazing 101 years on this earth. She will be forever missed by all who loved her.

(Carlson Funeral Home)