Veronica "Roni" L. Wangsness

Veronica “Roni” Wangsness, age 76, passed away on March 2, 2026, at her home in Madison Lake.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2026, at Northview-Mankato Mortuary. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2026, at Northview-Mankato Mortuary. www.mankatomortuary.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Madison Lake Fire Department Relief Association or the family.

Roni, daughter of Phil and Therese Van Zuilen, was born on August 17, 1949, in Faribault, MN. She was the oldest of eleven children. They grew up on a farm bordering Nerstrand State Park. They all remained very close throughout their lives. She loved holidays and any occasion to get together with her siblings and their families. On July 7, 1972, Roni was united in marriage to Wayne Wangsness at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault by a priest (Roni’s uncle) and a minister (Wayne’s cousin). She worked in Human Services and was a private business owner.

Roni contracted polio as a child and spent a year in a body cast due to scoliosis. Although those conditions caused medical issues for the remainder of her life, she persevered and was determined to enjoy her life. Roni loved all types of crafting but excelled in designing and creating stained glass, jewelry and flower arrangements. She volunteered as a parade organizer for her local community’s annual festival. Roni enjoyed hunting, fishing, flower gardening, watching and identifying birds, collecting and antiquing. Her laugh will be remembered and missed by many.

The family extends a sincere thank you to the Madison Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Madison Lake Police Department, Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office and Madison Lake American Legion for their assistance and compassion over the years.

Roni is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Wayne Wangsness; her daughter, Heather Kortuem (Chris) of Madison Lake; her son, Eryk (Sara) Wangsness of Mankato; her grandson, Grant Wangsness; granddaughters, Lyndsey and Jade; as well as her faithful 4-legged companion and helper, Eunice; her two sisters, Liz Van Zuilen of Faribault and Karen (Larry) Domeier of New Ulm; and her eight brothers, Gregory (Karen) Van Zuilen of Chaska, Jim (Cindy) Van Zuilen of Faribault, Dan (Becky) Van Zuilen of Faribault, Kevin (Debbie) Van Zuilen of Lonsdale, Cris (Karrie) Van Zuilen of Medford, Paul (Linda) Van Zuilen of Farmington, Michael (Amy Sprain) Van Zuilen of Faribault and Phil (Julie) Van Zuilen of Cannon Falls; 20 nieces and nephews, 33 grandnieces and grandnephews; and 1 great-grandnephew.

Roni was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Walter and Alpha Wangsness; her sister-in-law, Tammy; her son-in-law, Joe Langer; and her nephew, Chad Van Zuilen.