John Sellie

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John Martin Sellie, 81, rural Cathay, ND, died Saturday, August 16, 2008, at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford, ND.

John was born May 15, 1927, on the family farm near Fessenden, ND, to Con and Oline (Ingvaldson) Sellie. He graduated from Fessenden High School in 1945 and farmed with his father and brother, Conrad.

On June 9, 1952, he married Carol Wammer at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Badger, MN. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, was called to active duty, and served for two years during the Korean Conflict. After his return from the Navy, he and Carol managed their own farming and livestock operation, specializing in raising a Black Angus-Charolais cross.

John was an active and life-long member of First Lutheran Church of Fessenden. He taught Sunday school, Confirmation classes, and served on the Church Council.

Having a strong interest in politics, John helped organize the Wells County Young Republicans, where he served as a County and District Chairman for 12 years, and as a Precinct Committeeman for 14 years. He also served as Vice-Chairman of the North Dakota State Republican Party for four years; two years as its Finance Chairman; and was elected State Chairman, where he served for 4 1/2 years.

John had many other interests in life. He co-owned and was General Manager of the KHND radio station in Harvey. He also spent 10 years employed as a North Dakota Agricultural and Program Inspector, retiring in 1997. He was appointed Acting-Director of the Pesticide Certification Program at NDSU for several months following retirement. He continued his work with pesticides, serving as a monitor of the certification-training program for NDSU until 2006. John held memberships in the American Legion, N.D. Military Vehicles Collector Association, Farm Bureau, Elks, Eagles, Medora Foundation, N.D. 4-H Foundation and Concordia College's C 400 Club.

John is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Peter (Kathy), Dickinson; grandchildren, Kristine, Kari and John Sellie-Hanson, and son-in-law, C.T. Hanson, all of Fargo; sister, Ruth Cox, Mercer Island, WA; brother, Conrad (Nancy), Fessenden; sister-in-law, Margarethe Sellie, Chicago, IL; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin daughters, Karen and Kristine; brothers Herbert and Clifford; sisters, Margaret, Myrtle, Helen and Signe; and son-in-law, Michael Keller.

John loved life and his family. He was fond of saying to Carol, "Tell me again how lucky I am to have you." He and Carol loved traveling and camping with family and their Navy friends. He was known for his great big "bear hugs" offered to friends and family alike; as well as his trademark expression, "Yahoo," which he used to underscore his enthusiasm whenever he was about to do something fun. His welcoming smile and concern for the well-being of others will be greatly missed.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND.

Funeral: Thursday, August 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Fessenden.

Visitation: Today, August 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden.

Burial: Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Eden Lutheran Cemetery of rural Bremen, ND.