Minnie Sellin

Minnie Esther Dallman was born on October 12, 1907, in Lakeshore Township, in Lac Qui Parle County, MN, to parents Emma (Kranz) and Gustav Dallman. She was baptized and confirmed by Reverend Utzinger in the Evangelical church of Bellingham. She grew up in the Louisburg area, attended Bellingham school and later withdrew to help family members and neighbors. Some years later, Minnie was a waitress in the Lac Qui Parle Hotel in Madison, MN. On May 7, 1930, Minnie was united in Marriage to Paul William Sellin in Appleton, MN. After her marriage, she became a homemaker and she and Paul were blessed with three children; Lowell, James and Vadnae. She and Paul made their home down by the Minnesota River Bottoms. In 1955 they purchased the antique popcorn wagon that Minnie operated for 25 years, with her sister Ruth Von Eschen, and later on with her daughter, Vadnae, and later with her grandchildren, Kim, Chari and Tim. Each of them taking their respective "turns" at operating the business on their own. Eventually their home place was purchased for the Big Stone Wildlife Refuge, and she was forced to move shortly after Paul's death in 1959. After Paul's death, she began working in the Ortonville Hospital, first on floor work, and then in the kitchen as a dietary aide.

In their early marriage, Paul and Minnie joined the Evangelical United Brethern Church of Big Stone City, where she taught Sunday School. Minnie dedicated her life to the Lord during special services under Reverend Gordon, when she was about 24 years old. In the 1950's they joined the Ortonville Methodist Church. She was a 4-H leader and a member of some Bible Study groups. Minnie enjoyed gardening and shared her garden flowers on the church altar for many years - grew fabulous roses and raised African violets and crocheting. She began oil painting land & seascapes and still life when she was in her 70's. She wrote poetry, especially enjoying the writings of Helen Steiner Rice. Entertaining was a joy to her and she baked delicious pastries, and hosted many dinners and luncheons.

Minnie became a resident of Northridge after a fall in her home in September 2001. She celebrated her 100th birthday on October 12, 2007, with a celebration at Ortonville United Methodist Church, with about 200 guests; family, friends, neighbors and a community!

She loved her church, family, friends and neighbors ~ they were so special to her, also a great many nieces and nephews who kept in close contact with her. Minnie greatly enjoyed her close neighbors, Ron & Joan Cole, Lily & Ethan, Harry Mathes and friends Cynthia Gustafson, Karen Nelson, and Michella Chaloupka. Minnie had many other close neighbors and friends, but she had outlived many. She also had new and old close friends at Northridge Residence and appreciated the staff that cared for her those last years. Minnie lived a full and long life; 100 years, 4 months and 26 days.

Minnie is survived by her three children, Lowell (Lenore) Sellin of Ortonville, James Sellin of Watertown, SD and Vadnae (Ron) Kottke of Big Stone City; daughter-in-law, Barbara Sellin of Ortonville; eight grandchildren, Randa (Steve) Hahn, Sandra (John) Smelter, Sara (Gary) Haas, Debra (Sellin) Haack, James Sellin, Jr., Kim (John) Jackson, Charisse (Paul) Bohlman and Tim (Jody) Kottke; fifteen great grandchildren, Jerad (Leslie) Hahn, Jeffrey (Jill) Hahn, Greg Hahn, Jason Smelter and special friend Nikki, Melissa (Joe) Bromenschenkel, Stacy (Mike) Lawson, Alexandra Haas, Lauren Haas, Tom (Leah) Haack, John Paul Haack, Kyrsten Muniz, Casey Bohlman, Craig Bohlman, Kaitlyn Kottke and Noah Kottke; eleven great-great grandchildren, Zachery and Anika Hahn, Jadyn and Jensen Hahn, Alison Bromenschenkel, Samantha, McKenzie and Noah Lawson, Hannah and Jaden Haack and Ayden Muniz; 4 step grandchildren and 9 great step grandchildren. Minnie is preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul; all of her 11 siblings; great grandson, Baby Eli Haack.