Esther Julia Sell was born on February 9, 1915, at home in Gibbon, Minnesota. She was the 3rd child of William and Sophie (Jahnke) Niebuhr. She was baptized as an infant on February 25, 1915, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on March 24, 1929, both by Rev. Henry Boettcher at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota. Esther received her education at District #24 country school, which was about ¼ mile from home, from 1-6 grades and then attended Immanuel Lutheran Church School.
On November 26, 1933, Esther was united in marriage to Melvin Sell by Rev. Boettcher at the parsonage of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota. From 1933 until 1943, Esther and Melvin made their home in the Gibbon and Fairfax area. After 1943, they farmed in the Glencoe area. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Arlene, Ron, Gloria Jean, Sharon and Ginette. They shared over 48 years of marriage, until Melvin passed away on June 19, 1982, after suffering a stroke and heart attack. When Esther needed assistance with her daily care, she became a resident of Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care.
After Esther finished school, she worked as a hired girl for several rural Gibbon families until her marriage. In addition to being a loving wife, mother and homemaker, Esther helped Melvin on the farm. She was a member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota, where she served on the Missionary Society and Altar Guild and did braille work through the church. Esther also helped at the clothing depot.
Esther's enjoyments in life included gardening, sewing quilts and playing cards. She loved the family tradition of getting together to celebrate the holidays. Esther treasured those times spent with family and friends.
Esther passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at Glencoe Regional Health Services Long Term Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 98 years, 9 months and 3 days.
Blessed be her memory.
Esther will be sadly missed by her, Children, Arlene Sebring of Glencoe, MN, Ronald Sell and his wife, Marilyn, of Glencoe, MN, Jean McGuire of Glencoe, MN, Sharon Czycalla and her husband, Charles, of Glencoe, MN, Ginette Schwarze of Brownton, MN; Grandchildren, Cynthia Wibben and her husband, Stan, Catherine Hoernemann and her husband, Tom, Susan Evans and her husband, Chad, Sandra Boesche and her husband, Barry, David Sell and his wife, Jodi, Pat McGuire and his wife, Lori, Mike McGuire and his wife, Shelli, Kelli Reiter and her husband, Ken, Colleen Rech and her husband, Todd, Julie Pieschke and her husband, Jason, Lori Cacka and her husband, Mark, Angela Anderson and her husband, Cody; 21 Great Grandchildren; Sisters, Dorothy Kaatz of Buffalo Lake, MN, Melva Peterson of Sleepy Eye, MN; Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Esther is preceded in death by her Parents, William and Sophie Niebuhr; Husband, Melvin Sell; Sons-In-Law, Leo Sebring, Dennis McGuire, Rodney Schwarze; Great Grandson, Brent Wibben; Sisters, Edna Podratz and her husband, Henry, Lydia Buerkle and her husband, Delmer, Ruth Olsen and her husband, Wayne, Malinda Sell and her husband, Wilbert; Brother, Arthur Niebuhr; Brothers-In-Law, Muril Kaatz, Jim Young, Jim Peterson.
The family invites everyone to a luncheon at the church immediately following the committal service.

Obituary & photo published on the Hantge-McBride-Hughes Funeral services website.