| Name | Henry Ronningen |
| Birth | 13 May 1893, Rothsay MN |
| Death | 24 May 1958, Rothsay MN Age: 65 |
| Burial | Hamar Rothsay MN |
| Occupation | Heavy Equipment Construction - Caterpillar Operator |
| Religion | Lutheran |
| Father | Edward Anton Olson Ronningen (1861-1935) |
| Mother | Augusta Gronlund (1865-1933) |
Car Reached Crossing Just As Red River, Southbound Was Coming Through
Five Sisters, Two Brothers Among Survivors; Three Live In Fergus Falls
Rothsay - Edwin and Henry Ronningen Ronningen, brothers and members of a prominent pioneer and widely known family, were instantly killed this Saturday forenoon in a railway crossing accident on the northern edge of Rothsay.
Edwin, who lived four miles north of Rothsay, and Henry, who returned from Montana several months ago and had been staying with his sisters and brother were driving into the village. Their car was struck by the Red River, southbound, on what is known as the Justin Kastet crossing. There is a cut at this particular spot and the bank partially obscures a clear view of the railroad track. The car was carried 500 feet by the impact.
Edwin Ronningen was about 61 years of age and Henry about 64. Edwin, who was married two or three years ago to Mrs. Alice Moen, is survived by his wife, and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Julie Nelson and four grandchildren. Henry had never married. The brothers are also survived by five sisters and two brothers. They are Mrs. Anna Amundson, who resides four miles west of Rothsay; Mrs. Emil Amundson, a resident of Rothsay; the Misses Effie, Eunice and Helen Ronningen of Fergus Falls; and Theodore Ronningen living in Montana, and Peter of Klamath Falls, Oregon. There are also a number of nephews and nieces as well as several cousins.
The brothers were members of Hamar Lutheran Church, and their tragic deaths will occassion deep grief throughout the community where the Ronningen family is so well and favorably known.
FF Daily Journal May 1958.
Edwin, Henry Ronningen Killed By Train
Funeral Services Held Wednesday Afternoon
The Rothsay community was shocked when it was made known that the Red River Special, coming from the west, had hit the Edwin Ronningen car Saturday forenoon at the Justin Kastet crossing, a mile north of the village.
Edwin Ronningen, accompanied by his brother Henry, had just left the Kastet home, a few rods from the crossing, where they had borrowed some sewer cleaning equipment. The engineer saw them approach the crossing and sounded the whistle but the crossing being located in a cut, and with a strong wind blowing, made the sound echo, so the two men looked to the south, and not seeing the train moved onto the crossing evidently thinking the train was a long way off.
The engineer stated that the train was traveling at a speed of 65 to 70 miles per hour at the time, and he was unable to stop when he noted the auto coming onto the crossing.
The car was hit braodside and carried about 200 feet. Henry was thrown from the car but Edwin was pinned by the crushed in door and steering wheel. Both men were killed instantly.
Henry and Edwin were born and raised on a farm about four miles north of this village being the sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Ronningen, pioneers of this community.
Henry was born May 13, 1893 and Edwin on November 21, 1897. The former returned from the West this spring and was making his home with his brother Edwin and wife on the old family farm at the time of the accident.
Edwin was married to Mrs. Alice Moen in December 1954 and has been farming the home place of late. Henry was employed for many years by big road building contractors as an operator of heavy equipment. Both men were congenial and friendly, having a host of friends who will be saddened to hear of their tragic death.
Edwin is survived by his wife and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Julie Nelson and four grandchildren. The two brothers are also survived by five sisters and two brothers, as follows: Mrs. Emil AMundson, Mrs. Anton Amundson, both of this community; Misses Effie, Eunice and Helen Ronningen of Fergus Falls; Theo. Ronningen of Sidney, Montana, and Peter of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The funeral services were held at Hamar church Wednesday, May 28th, with the Rev. E. O. Barsness officiating. Mrs. and Mrs. Howard Paulson sang a duet, and Mrs. Clarence Nelson rendered a vocal solo. Mrs. Barsness was the organist.
The pallbearers for Henry were his nephews, George, James, Maurice, Robert, Arthur and Ernest Amundson. Those serving as pallbearers for Edwin were: Anton Amundson, Emil Amundson, Alf Pederson, Lloyd Hovland, Alfred ANderson and Alfred Bjoralt. The church was crowded with mourning relatives and friends.
The remains were laid to rest in the Hamar cemetery south of town.
May 24, 1958.