Yvonne Maxine Rogness

Yvonne Maxine Rogness, 91, of Fergus Falls passed away peacefully, with family by her side, Thursday Jan 16, 2025.

Vonnie was born Aug 12, 1933, in Fergus Falls, MN to Elmer and Selma Hoff. Vonnie attended school in Rural Battle Lake at District 285 until moving to rural Underwood where she attended Barnard School, followed by graduating from Underwood High School in 1952. During her school years Vonnie used her musical/piano skills to accompany many music groups and played the trombone in band and pep band. Following High School Vonnie took time at home to help care for her father who was ill and during that time taught piano lessons. Vonnie moved on to Deaconess School of Nursing where she received her Registered Nursing degree.

Following Nursing School, Vonnie returned to Fergus Falls to work at St Lukes which is now Lake Region Healthcare. In 1957, Vonnie met Glenn Rogness on a car ride to a wedding where she knew the bride and he knew the groom. After a short 4-month courtship, Glenn and Vonnie married on February 15, 1958, at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Fergus Falls. Following their wedding, they lived in Moorhead, MN and then Fergus Falls until 1961, when they bought Tucks Café in Paynesville, MN. Vonnie helped at the cafe, worked at the local hospital and gave birth to their two eldest daughters, Robyn and Kari. Vonnie was a tremendous multi-tasker!

A few years later they returned to Fergus Falls where Vonnie went back to work at Lake Region and eventually the State Hospital. During this time, Glenn and Vonnie settled into a farmstead north of Fergus and added Dana, Dale and Kathie to the family.

Glenn and Vonnie loved Pickerel Lake and having a place for family to gather. In 1986, they bought a small resort on Pickerel Lake and since multi-tasking was Vonnie's specialty, they added Shady Nook, another larger resort on Pickerel, shortly thereafter. Vonnie's favorite things to do at the resort were to open the Shady Nook candy store for the kids and learn the histories and family connections of all of her guests. Glenn and Vonnie retired at the lake and continued for many years to provide a place for family and friends to gather. Many pancakes were flipped and coffee cups filled at Pickerel Lake! 

Vonnie was a giver and a doer. She helped others selflessly, she gave of her time quietly and kindly, and she got things done. In later years she selflessly cared for Glenn, always by his side making sure things were just right and he had all he needed. The last years of her life were spent living with and being cared for by her daughter Kathie and son-in-law Dan and their sons Cole and Kyle. Music and singing were important to her until her last breath.

Vonnie is survived by her five children, Robyn (Mark) Barnett of Peoria, AZ, Kari (Kent) Smith of Redwood City, CA, Dana Miller of Goodyear, AZ, Dale (Patty) Rogness of Somerset, WI, and Kathie (Dan) Holoien of Horace ND; 11 grandchildren, Tyler (Beth), McKenna, Aaron, Jack, Cole, Kate (Josh), Kyle, Charlie, Ethan, Ben, and Alex; three great-grandchildren, Noah, Finnley and Kellen; brothers-in-law, Rollin (Mary Lou), JB (Kay), and sister-in-law Dixie and many nieces and nephews.

Vonnie is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Selma Hoff; Husband Glenn; Brother, Marland (Virginia) Hoff.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 11-1 PM on Friday May 23rd, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.

Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls