Individual Details

James Vern Sell, age 87, of Tabor, passed away quietly from this life Wednesday, July 14, 2010, surrounded by his proud family. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 17, 2010, at Peterson Mortuary in Glenwood. Pastor Jan Phillips officiated. Interment was in the Tabor Cemetery.

Vern was a lifelong resident of Mills County. He was born to Lowell I. and Ruth Sell on Nov. 2, 1922, and was one of eight children. He graduated from Glenwood High School and served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

After returning home from the military he met Helen Rasmussen. They were married on Dec. 10, 1947, in Council Bluffs. To this union three daughters were born, Kathy Mayes (Henry) of Austin, Texas; Karen LaBrayere of Cozad, Neb.; Keila Dremstedt (Al) of Colorado Springs, Colo. Vern and Helen are the grandparents of nine grandchildren; Kim Mayes McKay of McAllen, Texas; Kristin Mayes Burke of Austin, Texas; Jeffrey Sell Mayes of Traer; Jessica Mayes Goodall of Austin, Texas; Anne LaBrayere Graves of Indianapolis, Ind.; Jaime LaBrayere Jarrell of Kaipuhu, Hawaii; Jill LaBrayere Hergenrader of Cozad, Neb.; Zachary LaBrayere of Lincoln, Neb.; and Kaylee Garnhart of Denver, Colo.; and 15 great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Helen of Tabor, his three daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one sister, Geneva Phelps of Arizona; brother, Gail Edwin and wife Betty Sell of Malvern; Floyd Dean "Corky" and wife Mary Sell of Omaha. Vern is also survived by a wealth of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Ercell and wife Deltha; Dale and wife Delores; Duane and wife Ruth; Maxine and husband Bernard Roenfeldt and brother-in-law, Walter Phelps.

Vern and Helen moved to Tabor in 1953. They purchased the Lon Kempton farm in 1970. He was a proud farmer and loved life to the fullest. Most of Vern's life revolved around a career in agriculture. As a leader of the Mills County Prize Winners 4-H Club, he shared his knowledge and passion for agriculture with many young men and women, always serving as a mentor to other young farmers throughout the community.

His favorite moments were spent outdoors. He loved sunrises and sunsets; made sure his daughters understood the moon cycles, the constellations and the wonder of nature. Rainy days found him puttering in his shop, going to the races or playing cards with friends.

He was chairman of the Mills County Agriculture and Stabilization Committee (ASC) for eight years and a member of the Tabor Feed and Grain Corporation, serving as president for two years. As a member of the Mills Fremont Rural Fire Protective Assoc., he received honors for 20 years of service as president. He participated in fundraising activities for the Tabor Ambulance fund and the Tabor Gun Club. He was Grand Marshall of the 67th Farmer and Merchant Picnic in Tabor and Honorary Homecoming King of Fremont Mills High School.

Vern was a member of the Tabor United Methodist Church where he served as trustee. He was also a farm manager. He was a member of the American Legion Post 242 for 53 years, servings as a past commander. Vern was a friendly face in the community. His kindness, generosity and sense of humor were evident by all who knew him.

Memorials may be made to the Tabor Fire and Rescue.

Birth	2 Nov 1922	Center, Mills County, Iowa
Census (family)-shared	7 Apr 1930	(Lowell I. Sell and Ruth Mae Williams) Center, Mills County, Iowa
Census (family)-shared	24 Apr 1940	(Lowell I. Sell and Ruth Mae Williams) Center, Mills County, Iowa
Marriage	10 Dec 1947	Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa - Living
Residence	1 Jun 2001	Tabor, Fremont County, Iowa
Death	14 Jul 2010	Tabor, Fremont County, Iowa
Obituary	16 Jul 2010	Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Burial		Tabor Cemetery, Mills County, Iowa

Spouse

Living

Father	Lowell I. Sell (1889 - 1941)
Mother	Ruth Mae Williams (1893 - 1984)
Sibling	Ercell Lowell Sell (1913 - 1991)
Sibling	Ruth Geneva Sell (1915 - 2012)
Sibling	Dale Dwight Sell (1917 - 2007)
Sibling	Elna Maxine Sell (1919 - 2005)
Sibling	Duane Nelson Sell (1924 - 2009)
Sibling	Gail Edward Sell (1926 - 2017)
Sibling	Living

Notes