A Celebration of Life service to honor the life and legacy of LaVerne Sell, age 85, of Cannon Falls, formerly of Windom, will be held at the American Lutheran Church of Windom on Saturday, September 20th at 10:30 AM, with a time of visitation and gathering from 9:30-10:30 AM. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post #206 of Windom. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Windom.

The service will be livestreamed on the American Lutheran Church Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

LaVerne passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Cannon Rivers Senior Living in Cannon Falls.

LaVerne Pietz Sell was born on January 11, 1940, at the Windom Hospital to Rudolph and Grace (Pietz) Sell. He was baptized on April 14, 1940, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jeffers, MN, and confirmed at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom on May 30, 1954.

He graduated from Windom Area Schools with the Class of 1958. Following graduation, he attended Mankato Business College, where he studied Accounting and Sales.

On September 18, 1960, LaVerne married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Lund of Wilder. Together they made their first home in Windom, where they raised their three daughters—Laurene, Jodene, and Julene—through their school years.

LaVerne joined the National Guard in 1957 and received an Honorable Discharge in 1964. He also served with the Windom Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years. For much of his career, he worked as a self-employed salesman while living in Windom.

In 1985, LaVerne and Marilyn moved to Grand Forks, ND, where he owned and operated an Interstate Battery distributorship. Upon retirement, they purchased a home on Lake Belle Taine, between Nevis and Park Rapids, and later a mobile home at Arneson's Rocky Point Resort on Lake of the Woods. Summers were happily spent fishing as often as possible. They also enjoyed winters in Tucson, AZ, at Rincon Country East RV Resort. In 2008, they returned to live in Windom.

LaVerne had many passions. He loved fox and deer hunting and especially enjoyed fishing for walleye on Lake of the Woods in both summer and winter. He was an excellent cook and delighted in entertaining friends at the lake. His greatest joy, however, was sharing his love of fishing with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends and a good game of bocce ball in Arizona.

LaVerne is survived by his three loving daughters: Laurie (Joel) Bringle, Jodie (Joe) Torkelson, and Julie (Steve) Audette; seven grandchildren: Cassie Jo (Mike) Thornton, Joshua (Brooke) Torkelson, Branden Audette, Tyler Audette, Kristen Audette, Ashley Bringle, and Jackson Bringle; three great- grandchildren: Elliot Thornton, Eleanor Thornton, and Bennett Torkelson; one sister, Jean Potter; sister-in-law Louetta Masters; and brother-in-law, Wayne Lund; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn; his parents; his brother, Orvis Sell; sisters, Joan Engler, Irene Wahl, and Leora Cole; sister-in-law Rita Sell and brothers-in-law Roger Masters, Phil Potter, Gene Cole, Rodney Wahl, and Gene Engler.

Blessed be the memory of LaVerne Pietz Sell.