Ronaele K. Berry

Ronaele Kathleen Berry passed away onJanuary 17 at the age of 74. She was born on July 18, 1951, in Weiser, Idaho, to Charlesand Eleanor Hunnel, and was the secondoldest of six children.

Ronaele’s love for God began at a young ageand deepened throughout her life. Her unwavering faith was a constant source ofstrength, guiding her through every chapter. She lovingly referred to Him as her Father,cherishing that close and trustingrelationship, and she longed for those closestto her to know the same peace and assurance she found in Him. In herfinal days, she tenderly shared that she was redeemed and being heldby Jesus—a faith that brought her comfort, strength, and enduringhope, leaving a powerful testament to all who knew her. She graduated valedictorian from Morrill High School in 1969. After high school, she attended, on scholarship, the College of Nursing inOmaha, followed by a short stint at Eastern Wyoming College, whereshe met her husband, Russell Mayo Berry III. The two eloped onSeptember 25, 1970, in Boulder, Colorado, and shared a devotedmarriage of 55 years.

In 1971, Ronaele and Russell moved to north-central Nebraska tomanage a large ranch in the Sandhills along the Niobrara River beforeeventually settling in California. Together, they raised six children:Katherine (Kate) Van Nortwick (Peter), Anne Berry, MargaretComparan (Paul), Emily Morton (Philip), Russell Berry (Lacy), andCharlotte Schaefer (Curtis), their youngest born after the familymoved to California. At her core, Ronaele was a nurturing and lovingmother whose gentle wisdom, faith, and steady presence made her atrusted advisor and source of comfort to her children, family, andfriends.

Ronaele dedicated her life to supporting families. She served as a LaLeche League leader beginning in 1975, became a midwife in1977—delivering over 100 babies—and later taught parentingcommunication classes. She and Russell were pioneers in theNebraska homeschooling movement. In 2005, she earned her master’sdegree in psychology from Walden University.

She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, serving in manyleadership roles, and was an accomplished pianist and seamstress.From 2006 to 2020, she sang with the Sacramento Choral Society andwas also an avid Bikram yoga practitioner for many years.

Ronaele is survived by her husband Russell; her six children and theirspouses; 19 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild expected in May. She is also survived by her siblings Donna (Richard) Sigward, Laurel(Loren) Appleman, Barton (Jan) Hunnel, and Barry (Michelle) Hunnel. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bernard“Bernie” Hunnel, and three nieces.

Ronaele will be remembered for her deep faith, devoted marriage, love of family, and life long commitment to serving others.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at the East Lawn Elk Grove Memorial Park & Mortuary 9189 E Stockton Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95624.

Cards can reach Ronaele's family at Russell Berry - 9177 Daylor Street- Elk Grove, CA 95758.