Janis Sellin

Funeral services for Janis A. Sellin are 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2013 at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN with Rev. David Tonn officiating. Visitation is Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m. at First English Church with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will resume Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery.
Janis Ann (Samuelson) Sellin was born March 3, 1930 to Samuel and Emma (Lyseng) Samuelson in Graceville, MN. She was baptized April 20, 1930 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, MN.
She attended District 4 Country School through eighth grade and graduated from Clinton High School in 1948. After graduation she pursued a career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Ortonville, MN.
Janis and Darwood (Woody) Sellin were united married May 13, 1950 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, MN. In January of 1951, they moved to Ozark, AL where Woody served with the 47th Infantry Division during the Korean War. In Ozark, Janis was employed with the local telephone company.
Woody and Janis were members of First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville where she served as president of the WELCA and a member of the church council. She enjoyed working with her friends on Tuesdays mornings at Day of Love. In the community she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a Hospice Volunteer, and delivered Meals on Wheels.
Upon retirement, Janis and Woody became professional clowns after attending Clown Camp at the University of LaCrosse, WI. They attended a clown convention in Southport, England where they met clowns from all over the world. Locally, they were in parades and even served as greeters for a church service. They also enjoyed travels around the United States and to Acapulco, Mexico.
Janis passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at her home in Ortonville, reaching the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Woody (2006); stepfather Joe Tuller; brother Rolyn Samuelson; daughter-in-law Brenda Sellin; a and granddaughter Amanda Ann Sellin.
Janis is survived by three children: Bill Sellin (special friend Claudia Solberg); Juli Morris (Rod); Brad Sellin (Ronda). Her grandchildren are Brian, Dan (Velvet), Ben (Emily), Jessica, Jeremy (Karen) Sellin, and Katie Morris and her great granddaughter is Charlotte Sellin. Other survivors include brothers Dave (Carol) Samuelson, Jim (Glendra) Tuller, and sister-in-law Doris Samuelson as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.