Cecelia Sellner

Cecelia Van Houten was born March 24, 1919, in Ponca, Nebraska, the third child of George and Agnes Van Houten. Cecelia is preceded in death by her parents, by baby brother Paul, by her favorite uncle, Clifford Uncle Doc Van Houten, by her first husband, William B. Fahey, by her son-in-law, Duane Dean, and by her brothers-in-law, Leslie Marousek and Fern Fitzloff. Surviors include her husband, Marvin L. Sellner, sister, Margaret Fitzloff of Spirit Lake, IA, children William (Kay) Fahey of Northfield, Marilyn (Ron) Lessard of Rochester, Paul (Delia) Fahey of St. Cloud, Georgann Dean of Inver Grove Heights, Pam Fahey of Courtland, Pat (Dan) Fahey-Bacon of Apple Valley, Maureen Fahey of Apple Valley, Geralyn (Carl) Gieseke of Courtland, Michelle (Joe) Sellner of New Ulm, adopted daughter Diana Scott of Inver Grove Heights, 24 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and two nephews, Richard Marousek of Vadnais Heights and Leslie (Sharon) Marousek of Arnolds Park, IA, sister-in-law Bernette (Lyle) Koberstein of Junction City, KS and nieces Janice Caroll and Linda Clements also of Junction City. Cecelia grew up in the Ponca-Winnebago, Nebraska area on her family's farm. As a young girl, Cecelia and her sister Margaret attended St. Catherine's Academy (a Catholic Boarding School) in Jackson, Nebraska. This provided Cecelia with a love for education and deep devotion to her religion. And, just as her parents sacrificed to send Cecelia and Margaret to a Catholic school, Cecelia made sure that her nine children also attended Catholic schools. After graduating from St. Catherine's in 1936 with a teaching certificate, Cecelia taught school for five years in one-room schools in rural Nebraska. She married William B. Fahey in Sioux City, IA on May 24, 1941. During WWII Cecelia spent time in Texas until Bill was sent overseas with the Air Force. Then she spent the later war years in Everly, IA on her parent's farm with her first two children, Billy and Marilyn, and she taught school again in local schools. After WWII, she and Bill again settled in Sioux City to raise their young family until his job was transferred to Fairmont, MN in 1954. In Fairmont, Bill and Cecelia raised their nine children and she instilled in her children the importance of kindness, good manners and good grammar, love of one another, and strong faith. Life was hard with nine children but Cecelia was a devoted Mother who made many sacrifices for her family. She was a Mother first and foremost and was very devoted to her family. She rarely raised her voice and almost never spanked her children.Everyday in May and October Cecelia led her family in praying the daily rosary. She frequently reminded her children how lucky they were to have each other and said she always hoped that they would become life-long friends. Cecelia was widowed Oct 27, 1963, and had to raise her youngest 8 children on her own. She returned to a career in education to support her family. August 11, 1973 Cecelia married Marvin L. Sellner of Sleepy Eye. She settled on the farm with Marvin and began her life as a supportive farm wife. She loved having her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchilren visit the farm. And, the children also loved helping out with the chores and crops. As with her own children, Cecelia was a devoted Grandmother. She was very interested in hearing what all of the kids were doing and was proud of their accomplishments. Cecelia and Marvin farmed together until her health deteriorated. She died at Divine Providence Community Home with Marvin, all of her children, and some grand children with her. Their love helped send her to the welcoming arms of God