Fern Elizabeth Sell

Fern Elizabeth (Rahe) Sell was born on June 27, 1933 at Harbine, Nebraska to William and Clara (Jordening) Rahe. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Harbine, Nebraska and was married to Delwin “Buzz” Sell on February 26, 1956 at that same church. She was brought to the Lord by her parents as an infant and stayed grounded in a strong and abiding faith for 92+ years until God called her home to glory with Him on October 27, 2025.

Fern attended grade school at Zion Lutheran parochial school and a country school near Harbine; and graduated from Fairbury High School in l950 and Fairbury Junior College in 1952. She moved to Denver, Colorado, with some girlfriends and worked in an office there. She moved back to Nebraska and met her husband, Buzz, at a dance. They lived in Lincoln briefly and then moved to Fairbury where she raised her family and kept books for the family business, R & S Oil Company. She also worked in the office of Dr. Bruce Ackerman, an optometrist, in Fairbury.

Fern was a quiet child, the second born and the baby, always kind of pouting in pictures, no outstanding accolades really . . . . . but that was not the Fern we all came to love and know over 92 years. She was special and endearing to everyone who met her, but especially to those of us who called her mom, grandma or Aunt Fern! There was no better friend and neighbor than Fern—loyal, kind, caring, helpful.

She kept a neat home, was a great cook (famous for her homemade ham salad and potato salad). She was a meticulous bookkeeper and kept score at bowling (had the running totals in her head so she knew how many pins we needed to win). She quilted and volunteered at school, the election board and the VFW. She was the quintessential member of the Ladies Aid, Altar Guild, and LWML Circles at Grace Lutheran Church. If you needed anything done, ask Fern and if you wanted to have fun, invite Fern. She loved to dance (even on coffee tables to the Supremes at wedding receptions). She loved to play cards and watch baseball, football, volleyball games, especially Nebraska. She loved living life and was active and sharp until the very end.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Delwin “Buzz” Sell; son, William “Bill” Sell; an infant son born at rest and her loving sister, Gladys Arlene Rahe Rice.

Those who mourn her passing are daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Loper and husband, Jeff; son, Daniel “Dan” Sell; granddaughters - Erin Loper; Allison Fredrick and husband, Michael, all of Lincoln, NE. and Rachel Wortmann and husband, Deryk of Crofton, NE., grandson, Tanner Sell of Fairbury, NE. Great-grandchildren: Blair, Kane and Briggs Fredrick; Khloe and Kolton Wortmann; Harper and Charlie Sell; sisters-in-law, Joyce Sell and Mimi Sell; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marlin and Marjo Sell; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

Jesus has said to Fern, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . . . you have finished the race and will receive the crown of righteousness for remaining steadfast and faithful until death . . . . . “

Services will be Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Glen Emery officiating, followed by a lunch. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery following the lunch. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.