Mellisa Bergstedt

Mellisa Jean Bergstedt, formerly Mellisa Jean Nystrom, born Tschida, passed away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 56. She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Judy Tschida and Bill Kankelfitz.

Mellisa was truly one of a kind. Outspoken, strong-willed, and blessed with a unique sense of humor, she was never afraid to be herself. She loved moons, stars, skulls, and the colors black, pink, and purple. She practiced Wicca and embraced everything that made her different.

Although born in St. Paul, Mellisa spent much of her life in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she welcomed her three children. She later spent several years in the Twin Cities before making South Dakota her permanent home in 2007.

Mellisa dedicated more than 20 years of her life to the retail inventory industry, spending nearly two decades with Independent Auditors before joining Retail Inventory Services, where she worked for the last year and a half of her life. She truly loved her job, the friendships she built with her coworkers, and the relationships she developed with the store managers at the Circle K locations she inventoried. Her coworkers became more than just people she worked alongside; they became a second family.

Mellisa shared many years with her husband, Shawn, who was also her best friend. Their love wasn’t always simple, but it was real. Through laughter, disagreements, challenges, and countless memories, they shared a bond that was uniquely theirs.

One of Mellisa’s proudest accomplishments was purchasing a home with Shawn, fulfilling a dream she had held onto for many years. Together, they worked hard and eventually paid off their home. She loved spending time there and took great pride in making it her own. She grew tomatoes and peppers in her raised vegetable garden, planted colorful zinnias, and kept a special place for roses that had belonged to her mother. These simple joys brought her so much happiness, and she was always proud to share what she had grown.

As a mother to Vance, Meghen, and Kerry, Mellisa loved her children more than anything in the world. Although she wasn’t always able to be there for them in the ways she wished, they were always the most important part of her heart. She wanted them to know that her love for them was deep, unconditional, and everlasting.

She was Grandma to Trace, Lyndsey, and Ciqala, and Mimi to Josie. Each held a special place in her heart, and the memories they shared will be treasured forever.

Mellisa is survived by her husband, Shawn Bergstedt; her children, Vance, Meghen, and Kerry; her grandchildren, Trace, Lyndsey, Ciqala, and Josie; and her siblings, Carrie (James) Kearney, Angie Ansah, and Scott Kankelfitz. She was preceded in death by her parents, Judy Tschida and Bill Kankelfitz; her grandparents, Mary and Melvin Tschida; and her aunt, Jeanne Tobish.

A celebration of Mellisa’s life will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

In every moonlit night, every star in the sky, and every little reminder of her, those who loved her will find a piece of Mellisa.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever our Mimi.