The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family with arrangements at this time.
To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org
Denny is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elaine Sellner of Wells; his daughter, Pam (Rollie) Warmka of rural Easton; his son, Todd (Sonya) Sellner of Clinton, Wisconsin; his grandchildren, Eric (Sarah) Warmka, Megan Aldrich, Callen (Kara) Warmka, Nikki (Jhavi) Sellner, Jamie (Matt) Lee; his great-grandchildren, Jackson, Ryker, Roslyn, Jhovi, Rhedy, Laila, Isaiah, Greyson, Oakley, and Saylor; his brother, Jim (Val) Sellner of Sleepy Eye; his sister-in-law, Phyllis Sellner of Kasota; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Lucille Sellner; his sister, Joan Richert; and his brothers, Charles “Chuck” and Ronald “Ron” Sellner.
Dennis Clarence Sellner was born October 1, 1939, in Sleepy Eye to Rudolph and Lucille (Hornick) Sellner. He was a 1958 graduate from Sleepy Eye Public High School where he met the love of his life Elaine Schrieber. The couple was united in marriage on July 29, 1959, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Soon after marriage, Denny enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia where the couple made their first home while he proudly served from 1959 until 1963 during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Denny later returned to Minnesota where together the couple raised their family in Wells.
Denny worked for over thirty years as a plant supervisor at various Del Monte plants starting in Wells, and later Burley, Idaho before his eventual retirement from the Del Monte plant in Sleepy Eye. To give back to his community, Denny served as a Boy Scout leader for many years, volunteered with the Wells Lions Club, the Wells Ambulance Department, and was a life member of the Wells VFW Post 1778 as well as the Wells American Legion Post 210. Denny also flew with Harry’s Hawks Flying Club and was active in numerous bowling leagues.
In his retirement Denny enjoyed spending many great summers with his family at his cabin of Fox Lake, and made countless friends wintering at his home in Mesa, Arizona. There weren’t too many mornings that he didn’t start without a cup of coffee with his morning coffee crew, and an afternoon stop at the VFW. There wouldn’t be a problem left in the world if someone would just listen to the conversations that were shared around these tables. The term jack of all trades gets used quite often, and Denny was one of these through and through. There weren’t too many things he couldn’t build, fix, or do in life. He was always there to help a neighbor out, or at least there to supervise with his hands on his hips making sure it was done right.
To relax, he enjoyed watching his old westerns with the volume too high and cheering for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings with an EJ-7 in hand. Many great memories were made with his family while fishing at the lake and on the numerous RV family vacations he shared with them. Denny was proud of the work he did in life, but what he was most proud of was his family. He loved every moment he got to spend with his family, and loved getting to see his grandchildren grow up. He was always there for them any time they were in need. He will forever be remembered for his big heart and wonderful sense of humor. Although watching him go has been hard, he lived a life to be proud of. He is in a better place supervising all of us now making sure the job gets done right. Blessed be his memory.