Donna Rolfstad
Heaven has gained an angel as our mother, Dora E. Rolfstad has passed from this life on earth to her heavenly home on December 27, 2024.
Born on August 11, 1921, to Martin and Sophia (Sampson) Jacobson in Epping, N.D., Dora was the 10th of 11 children, the baby girl, who became an aunt at 2 years old.
Dora was raised and graduated in Epping, then took off to stay with her sister in Seattle and become a “rosie riveter”. But she had met this boy, Ervin Rolfstad, at one of the dances her brothers had taken her to in Epping and he decided he couldn’t live without her and went to Seattle and proposed. She said yes, and they were married in Missoula, Mont. on their way home to the family farm northeast of Williston. There they lived and raised their 6 children, Larry, Barbara, Dyanne, Theresa, Martin, and Bekki from then until 1977 when they retired from farming and Erv built a house for Mom. They lived there until Erv’s passing in 1990.
Dora was a faithful member of First Lutheran Church, worked tirelessly as a farm wife, raised a huge garden every summer, was known as a very good cook, fed custom combiners and road construction crews, was a member of Muddy Valley Homemakers, was a 4H leader while all of her children were in 4H, worked election boards, and anything else asked of her.
After ‘retiring’ Dora moved into Williston and volunteered for Red Cross blood drives, worked as a bailiff for Williams County District Court where she spoiled jurors with her home baked goodies until she was 92, and volunteered at the Senior Center where she loved helping all the ‘old people’.
After Dora fell in 2018 and broke her pelvis she was in swing bed, and then moved to Good Shepherd Home in Watford City where they became a part of her extended family until her passing on December 27, 2024.
Surviving Dora are her 3 daughters, Dyanne Johnsrud, Roundup Mont.; Theresa Torgerson, Beulah N.D.; and Bekki (Harold) Larson, Arnegard, N.D.; son-in-law, Dave Stewart, Virginia, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Delores Jacobson; many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Ervin; sons, Martin and Larry; daughter, Barbara Stewart; 4 son-in-laws, Jeff Haugen; David Barkie; Alvin Johnsrud; Howard Torgerson; daughter-in-law, Linda; all 10 siblings; and numerous in-laws and extended family.
Dora left footprints on the hearts of so many and now will use her many talents in heaven, leaving a hole in so many of our hearts here on earth, until we meet again.
Dora’s services were at 10:30 A.M., on Tues., Dec. 31, 2024, at the Wilmington Lutheran Church, Arnegard, N.D. with Pastor Garrett Gudmunsen officiating. Visitation was on Mon., Dec. 30, 2024, from Noon to 6, at the funeral home in Watford City and one hour before services at the church. Interment was at 2:30 p.m., Tues., Dec. 31, 2024, at the Riverview Cemetery, Williston, N.D. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.