Natalie Rollag, age 89, of Valley City, ND, died Wednesday, July 22nd at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City. A memorial Service will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday, July 25th at the Lerud Schuldt Funeral Home in Valley City. Visitation will be held on hour before the service at the funeral home. Natalie Serenity Rollag, also known as Maxine Carlson, was born on July 22nd, 1926 near Granville, North Dakota. She was adopted as an infant, and after half a century learned about her birth mother. Serenity married Edwin Carlson around 1952, and they raised three children in northern California, Paul, Elaine, and Marilyn. They separated, but later became friends again. She attended the University of Minnesota, where author Saul Bellow was one of her professors. Later she earned a Masters in Psychology from John F Kennedy University. She began doctoral studies at Minot State University, where she was old enough to be some of her professor's mother. Serenity worked as a school teacher, helped found three different schools, directed a Head Start program, and worked with Mexican migrant families in the 1960s. In 1976 she became a missionary for the Unification Church. She was by far the oldest person ever to serve with its national fundraising teams. She directed and helped modernize the church's national publications office in New York City, and later made two mission journeys to Zambia in southern Africa. Malaria did not stop her, she always wanted to return there. She also traveled to church events in Korea. In her later years, Serenity retired to North Dakota, where daughter Marilyn eventually became her caregiver. During this time they lived in Jamestown and then Valley City, where they found a warm welcome by neighbors, and great support from social workers and others. They sometimes attended LDS services in Jamestown, and made many new friends there. Toward the end of her life, Serenity lived for several months at the Sheyenne Care Home, which she enjoyed, while becoming well known for her skill at Yahtzee and similar games. Serenity passed away peacefully, on her birthday. She leaves behind three children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom is named after her. She has touched lives on three continents and beyond.