Tiffany Lynn Rodning

After enduring an uphill battle with cancer over the last seven months, Tiffany Lynn Rodning claimed the final victory and is now “In His Grip”. Tiffany passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 23rd in Gaylord, MN at the age of 49 surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind her husband, Brian Rodning; her sons, McKoy (Steph Kruggel) and Brody Rodning.

Tiffany was born on March 17, 1968 in David Grant Hospital on Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA to parents Larry and Mary Wisch. She grew up in a loving family with two sisters, graduated a proud Winthrop Warrior in 1986, and earned an Accounting degree from Mankato State University in 1990.

Tiffany married high school sweetheart Brian Rodning on August 19, 1989. After their wedding, Tiffany and Brian lived in North Mankato for a short while before they moved closer to the Rodning family farm in New Sweden, MN.   Eventually, Tiffany and Brian built a home in Gaylord, MN, which is where they stayed to raise their two boys.

Tiffany was a driven professional who earned her CPA degree in 1991. During her early years as an accountant she was employed by Schaefer and Schaefer in Fairfax, MN and Schuetzle Carlson Accounting in New Ulm, MN. She left there in 1994 to work for the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) where she eventually became Deputy Executive Director. A key responsibility was organizing the MSBA Leadership Conference every January, where she looked forward to connecting with friends and colleagues who worked in school leadership throughout the state. Her most recent accomplishment was a pivotal role in MSBA’s rebranding and strategic planning effort. During her tenure with MSBA she served on multiple boards and professional organizations, including the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) where she was recently recognized for 20 years of service. She was also on the board for the Minnesota State High School League Foundation and Teachers Retirement Association.

Tiffany was an avid supporter of athletics in her community. She could frequently be found cheering on the teams on which her boys played, including the Sibley East Wolverines, Gaylord Islanders, SMSU Mustangs, and MN State Mavericks. At one point she coached junior high volleyball and was instrumental in establishing the Sibley East Booster Club. Tiffany loved her high school volleyball experience, played in various women’s leagues as an adult, and enjoyed running up until her illness.

Tiffany was diagnosed with colon cancer this past August. Despite multiple setbacks, she remained determined to overcome the disease no matter the final outcome by maintaining her positive approach, insistence that good things be found in difficult circumstances, and faith in eternal life.

Tiffany is survived by her husband, children, and parents, as well as her mother-in-law Elna Rodning; sisters, Monde (Tim) Schwartz and Alicia (Dan) Truebenbach; sister-in-law Gwen (Paul) Erdal; brother-in-law Jeff Rodning, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father-in-law Gerald Rodning; paternal grandparents Ernest and Adela Wisch; and maternal grandparents Sylvester and Myrtle Reese.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Crossview Covenant Church, 2000 Howard Drive West, North Mankato, MN 56003. Visitation will be held from 4 - 8 p.m., Monday at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to a future scholarship in Tiffany's name.