she was born in stavanger and was educated as a pharmacist in 1947. lønningdal was a member of the executive committee of stavanger city council from 1963 to 1973. from 1967 to 1973 she was also a member of rogaland county council. she was elected to the parliament of norway from rogaland in 1973, and was re-elected in 1977. she had previously served as a deputy representative during the terms 1965–1969 and 1969–1973. her political career ended with the post of county governor of rogaland, which she held from 1982 to 1991.