Lawrence Louis Sellner

Lawrence L. Sellner, age 90 of Sleepy Eye, MN, passed away on June 7, 2023. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with Parish Prayers at 3:30 PM at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth with Father Mark Steffl officiating. Interment will be at Japanese Martyrs Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Lawrence Louis Sellner was born July 17, 1932, on the family farm in Leavenworth Township, Brown County, MN. He was the second of nine children born to Albert and Sophie (Mathiowetz) Sellner. He attended Mulligan School until the 8th grade. After his completion of school, he helped his father on the family farm. Following his father's death, he was drafted into the US Army. He served our country for two years, stationed mainly in Germany. During his tour, he passed his GED test. Following his discharge, he returned home, buying his own farm site south of Leavenworth. On June 6, 1961, he married Nadine Hoffman. They spent 53 years together. Lawrence farmed and had a dairy operation.

Lawrence was very active in the community. He spent 50 years on the Leavenworth Township Board, 14 years as Supervisor, and 36 years as Clerk. He was an officer on the Brown County Township Association and served on the Brown County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He served as Sec/Treas of the Sleepy Eye Rural Fire Dept., was a Director on the Sleepy Eye Farmers Elevator Board, as well as the Renville County Co-op Transport, and was a District Officer for AMPI.

Lawrence was a member of the Church of the Japanese Martyrs, Leavenworth, MN. He served the church as an usher and a courtesy usher his whole life. He was a KC member for over 50 years, as well as the Catholic Aid Association where he served as the President. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Catholic Aid Assn. He also maintained the church and cemetery grounds for many years.

Lawrence also gave the gift of life, donating blood to the American Red Cross for over 50 years, totaling over 15 gallons donated. He was the caretaker of Treml Park in Brown County. He drove school bus over 16 years. In 2008, he was chosen by Kare 11 as one of the 10,000 good people in the state of Minnesota. That year he also received his honorary high school diploma from Sleepy Eye Public High School.

Lawrence is survived by his daughter, Connie Schroepfer of New Ulm; granddaughter, Megan (Tyler) Koenigs of Leavenworth; great-grandsons, Everett and Asher Koenigs; sister, Elaine Schueler of Sleepy Eye; brothers, Bro. Martin (Robert) of Manila, Philippines and Jerome of New Ulm; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Nadine in 2014; parents; brothers, Leander, Vernard, Erwin, and Albert; and sister, Viola.