Willys E. Rogelstad, 89, New Rockford formerly of Fessenden, ND, passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND.  Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 15, 2021 at the Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, ND.  Pastor Shirley Teske will officiate and burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Fessenden, ND.  The service will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/phHWjqUnVYk

Willys Ellen Affeldt was born April 15, 1932 at home to Allen and Alice (Tangen) Affeldt, Purcell and received her education at Fessenden Public School.

She married Harlan J. Rogelstad on June 25, 1949 in Fessenden at First Lutheran Church. They resided at the Rogelstad Homestead north of Fessenden for approximately a year.  In May of 1950 they moved into Fessenden.  Willys worked at Tillies Café, B & R Motel Café and then Johnson Drug Store.  They moved back to the Rogelstad Homestead in October of 1957 where she helped Harlan with all aspects of the family farm.  She was an excellent seamstress, making all three of her daughters' wedding dresses, and many of their clothes.  She enjoyed camping, fishing and was an avid reader.

They retired from farming in the early 1980's.  Following their retirement they spent the summer months between Fessenden and Parshall and the winter months in Apache Junction, AZ.

After Harlan passed away in 2002 she continued to spend the winters in Arizona and summers in Fessenden.  In the fall of 2016, she moved to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND, where she was a friend to all.

Willys is survived by three daughters, Vicki Durick, Fessenden, ND, Leatrice (Merrill) Truedson, Harvey, ND, and Christi (Allen) Kanwischer, Wheatland, WY; four grandchildren, Casey, Carissa, Joshua, and Alyson;  two step-grandchildren, Jeromy and Jamie; eight great-grandchildren, one step-great grandchild; two sisters, Irene (Jim) Coles, Phoenix, OR and Norma Monahan, Ann Arbor, MI; three step-brothers, Tom Purcell, Billings, MT, Dick Purcell, Red Lodge, MT, and Joe Purcell, Oceanside, NY.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, Tom Purcell, husband Harlan, sister Sharon Hinman, and son-in-law (Michael Durick).

In lieu of flowers, memorial preferred to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, American Cancer Society, or donor's choice.