Rosanna Gutterud was born on a farm near Fairdale, North Dakota, on March 19, 1912. She was the oldest daughter of Thorvald and Minnie Gutterud. She married Emore Johnsrud on November 26, 1937, in Grafton. Emore was a native of Fertile, Minnesota, and born September 26, 1904. The couple had one daughter and one son. Sonja was born April 2, 1939, followed by her brother Robert on November 3, 1940.

Emore worked for the Soo Line Railroad for over 39 years, 28 of which were spent in Dahlen, North Dakota. He also spent two years as Dahlen’s constable. The Johnsruds moved to Grand Forks following Emore’s retirement. Both were active in the Dahlen Lutheran Church and the Sons of Norway. The entire family was very interested in music, and each member of the family played a different instrument: Emore–accordion; Rosanna–violin; Sonja–piano; and Robert–guitar.

Rosanna also had a special interest in writing. She composed her first play, Dronning Aase fra Slottek, (English translation: Queen Aase from the Castle) in January 1937. The play was entirely written, composed and performed in Norwegian, and debuted at the 17th of May celebration in Dahlen in 1937. The play was also performed in Fargo, as well as Moorhead and Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Her second play, The King and the Kingdom, was performed several times by the Dahlen Lutheran Church, in addition to being seen in Fordville and Nash, North Dakota. A third play, Restauration, was written in 1975. Both of these titles were written in English. Rosanna also composed and published poetry. Her first published poem was written when she was only 17 years old. She has also written several articles which have appeared in various Norwegian-American publications. In addition, she also co-authored 50th Anniversary of Dahlen, North Dakota: 1912-1962.

Emore Johnsrud passed away December 15, 1995, in Bloomington, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years. Rosanna continued to live in Bloomington until her death April 9, 2002, at the age of 90 years.