Donna Sellner Genck

1929 - 2025

St. Paul - September 20, 2025. Donna, Age 96, of St. Paul, born April 1, 1929 Faribault, MN. Preceded by husband Worthington Clark Genck, parents Martin W. & Elizabeth Elliott Sellner, and loving sister Fanchon Julie Mathews (James) of Coon Rapids, MN. Survived by daughter Julia Elliott Meyer (Rick) of St. Paul, son Martin Genck (Julie Ann), step-grandchildren Claire Burghard and Michael Corwin of Lakeland, MN, son Andrew Genck (Rachel) of St. Paul, brother Elliott Martin Sellner (Dianne) of Faribault, MN, and many nieces and nephews. Donna was born and raised in Faribault, MN, baptized and married at the Cathedral of our Merciful Savior, Faribault. She attended Shattuck-St. Mary's Episcopal affiliated private high school, Faribault, and met her husband at Macalester College in St. Paul at age 19. She hopped onto the back of his 1941 74 Harley, her long beautiful 1940s dresses blowing in the breeze, and the rest is history. Married in 1949. In the 1950s she became active for several decades in St. Paul politics and was on all kinds of boards and commissions. She also established herself as a festive party planner while doing a lot of volunteer work for her St. Paul church, St. Mary's Episcopal. In the 1960s Donna was a pioneer in preserving the environment and helped create the Minnesota Environmental Control Citizens Association (MECCA). She was also instrumental in founding the first ever Senior Leisure Age Day Care Center model launched at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in St. Paul in 1965. In the 1970s with her husband she sponsored two Hmong families. In 1984 she received the prestigious 'Minnesota 11 Who Care' award from channel 11 for her work teaching English as a second language to refugees. In the late 1980s she was one of the founders of the Merriam Park Living At Home Block Nurse Program (n/k/a Neighborhood Network for Seniors) which incorporated and launched in 1991. She has received many commendations and awards through the years for her humanitarian work. Donna was an avid reader and gardener. She loved roses and found pure joy in a vintage, heirloom, full bloom rose. Memorial Service at 2PM on Saturday, October 11, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church (1895 Laurel Ave., St. Paul). Visitation one hour prior. Reception to follow service. Memorials to either St. Paul area Women for Sobriety or Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning or Block Nurse Program.