Wayne Curtis Jelsing

Wayne Curtis Jelsing, 86, of Rugby, passed away at the Rolette Community Care Center in Rolette, ND on January 16, 2022. Wayne was born on December 26th, 1935 in Rugby to Engvald and Clara Jelsing. He was the third of seven children. Wayne grew up in the Rugby area, but he left home to live with his older sister, Tiny and her husband, Art Monson on their farm south of Karlsruhe when he was twelve years old. Wayne's formal education ended after completing the eighth grade. However, Wayne was a life-long learner who was a master mechanic, craftsman and farmer. There wasn't much he couldn't do and do well. At the age of 22, he moved back to Rugby and began working at Hersey-Paterson's Texaco on Highway 2 where he would make the acquaintance of Judy Heidlebaugh in January of 1960. They were married on October 15th, 1960 — the beginning of a wonderful life together. Wayne worked at Buchl Implement for a time, then for Pierce County as a D8 Cat Operator where he helped construct roads in the county for three years. Shortly after, he began his 25 year career as a mechanic and service manager at MJ McGuire Ford Company. Wayne also repaired heavy equipment on evenings and weekends in his shop on their farm south of town. He also moved snow around Rugby for many people and businesses for many years. He and Judy eventually purchased the farm he grew up on in Karlsruhe, satisfying his life-long dream of being a farmer. Wayne was a worker, never one to be idle. He always had something productive to accomplish. In their later years, Wayne and Judy slowed down and spent time traveling to Texas and Arizona in the winters as well as volunteering for seven years as campground hosts at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona. They helped their children with numerous house projects in Idaho and Washington, enjoyed their cabin on Lake Metigoshe, and Wayne spent time tinkering with his HO model train layout in the basement of their home. Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Judy, and their two daughters, Carey (Greg) Scheller of Marysville, Washington and Holly (Dave) Davies of Weiser, Idaho. Wayne and Judy have six grandchildren: Bryce and Blake (Kiely) Scheller and Luke, (Nataly), Matthew, Mikel, and Kate Davies. They have three great-grandchildren: Jaxson and Penelope Davies and Emberlynn Scheller. Wayne's surviving siblings are Phyllis Howe, Dean and Doug Jelsing, and brothers-in-law Harley Halseth and Marv Ave. He was preceded in death by his parents Engvald and Clara, sisters Elaine "Tiny" Monson, LaVerne Halseth, and Janice Ave, and brother-in-law Arthur Monson. - Niewoehner Funeral Home