Nancy Nell Rountree

Nancy Rountree, born on February 14, 1941 at 7:30 a.m. in Duncan, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026 in Milwaukie, Oregon. She was 85 years old.

Nancy was the beloved daughter of Lee S. Early, a U.S. Army soldier born in Grosvenor, Texas, and Joyce Junice Lawson, born in Loco, Oklahoma. She spent her earliest years in Comanche, Oklahoma, before she and her younger brother Lonnie Early moved to rural Brown County, Texas, near Blanket, to live with their paternal grandparents.

During her years with her grandparents, Nancy formed a close and meaningful bond with her father’s sister, Aunt Elenor ‘Auntie’ Lee, whose kindness and support brightened her early childhood. While living with her grandparents, Nancy attended Grosvernor Elementary School in Brown County, Texas, a place that shaped many of her earliest memories. Nancy also maintained a loving relationship with her father, Lee, and warmly welcomed his wife Ethel and her younger brother, David Early, into her life. Her connection with her father’s growing family was an important and cherished part of those early years.

Around the age of ten, Nancy moved to Reedsport, Oregon, to live with her mother Joyce and stepfather. She attended Reedsport Junior/Senior High School and quickly became known for her bright spirit and enthusiasm. Nancy was a majorette for the marching band and a cheerleader—roles that reflected her confidence, energy, and love for being part of her school community.

After graduating high school, Nancy moved to Eugene, Oregon, where she lived with her best friend Jeanette Sherwood in a tiny apartment and worked as a waitress at hamburger Heaven. During this time, she met and married Mel Mogster, the father of her two daughters. The young family later moved to the Keizer/Salem area, where Nancy began what would become a long and dedicated career with U.S. National Bank.

Following her divorce from Mel, Nancy later married Larry Harvey and embraced life as a homemaker. They lived in Salem for several years, where Nancy explored gourmet cooking, tried new culinary techniques, and loved entertaining friends and family with dinner parties. The family eventually moved to Star, Idaho, where they built a life on a small five‑acre farm. Over the years they cared for horses, sheep, cattle, rabbits, a goat, three cats, and a dog. Nancy loved gardening, supporting 4‑H and FFA, and being part of the Star Friends Church. She taught Sunday School to young children and was always eager to help Traci prepare her sheep for the Western Idaho State Fair.

After Larry passed away unexpectedly at age 45, Nancy showed remarkable resilience by creating a new chapter for herself. She purchased and operated a travel business, spending many years running bus tours throughout the Northwest, Nevada, and Canada. Her work allowed her to explore, connect with people, and bring joy to others through travel.

In time, Nancy chose to return to Oregon to be closer to her parents. She settled in Portland and resumed her banking career with U.S. Bank, where she made many lasting friendships. Through mutual friends, she met Rick Rountree, and the two quickly formed a deep and loving bond. They married in September 1992 and would have celebrated 34 years of marriage on September 19, 2026.

Nancy and Rick bought a small home on SE 78th Avenue in Portland, where they lived until 2008. Together, while working full‑time jobs, they remodeled each room of their little house and transformed the yard with beautiful landscaping. Nancy had a natural eye for home design and decorating, and she kept a warm, tidy, and beautifully organized home that reflected her creativity and care. During these years, Nancy also continued one of her greatest joys—cooking for and hosting family gatherings. She was an excellent cook and often prepared holiday meals and special dinners, creating celebrations filled with warmth, good food, and the feeling of home that she was so gifted at giving.

While living in their SE Portland home, Nancy and Rick were active members of Kern Park Church, where Nancy ran the preschool Sunday School program—a role that brought her great joy.

When they later moved to Milwaukie, Nancy once again poured her talent into their home, updating and remodeling the living spaces to create a lovely, contemporary home filled with the warmth and thoughtful design she was known for. After settling in Milwaukie, Nancy and Rick joined the Milwaukie Covenant Church and continued their commitment to faith and community.

Nancy had a deep love for children, dogs, music, flowers, and traveling—joys that reflected her warm and nurturing spirit. She and Rick shared many wonderful adventures together, beginning with their first trip to Boston and Cape Cod and ending with a memorable journey to Detroit, Michigan. Over the years, they explored countless places across the country, from the East Coast to Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, and even Alaska. Nancy also cherished traveling with her family, including a special trip to Mexico with Kristian and Traci, and she kept a beloved tradition of taking each grandchild to Disneyland for their eighth birthday.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Rick Rountree; her daughters, Terri Mogster Brown and Traci Mogster; her grandchildren, Kathryn Hindmarch, Kristian Mogster, and Derek; and her four great‑grandchildren.

She is also survived by her brother David Early and his wife Sue; her sister‑in‑law Elaine Early; and Rick’s sisters, Diane Hall and Maurie Rountree; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who loved her.

Nancy’s life was defined by her resilience, her devotion to family, her generosity, and her warm, easy laugh. She will be remembered for the many lives she touched, the homes she filled with love, and the countless ways she made the world a brighter place.

She leaves behind family and friends who will miss her deeply and hold her memory close.