BROTHER MARTIN SELLNER

1937 - 2025

BROTHER MARTIN SELLNER FSC Brother Martin Sellner FSC (Robert Walter Sellner), 87, of Manila, Philippines, formerly from Sleepy Eye, died Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 1911 Brothers Community, De La Salle University, Manila. The funeral mass and burial were held in the Philippines on January 16, 2025. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Japanese Martyrs Catholic Church, Leavenworth, at 11 a.m. Brother Martin was born on August 29, 1937, on the family farm by Leavenworth to Albert and Sophie (Mathiowetz) Sellner. He graduated from St Mary's High School in Sleepy Eye June 5, 1955. Shortly after, he joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Glencoe, MO, receiving final vows July 8, 1962. He attended St. Mary's College, Winona and Seattle University, Seattle, WA, earning master's degrees in religious education, chemistry, and math. He was a teacher at schools in Chicago, IL, and at Hill High School and Hill-Murray High School in Minnesota. In 1985 he was asked to teach in the Philippines at De La Salle University and De La Salle-Zobel High School in Manila in the Chemistry Department. After retiring from teaching, his commitment continued through his years of service in the Lasallian East Asia District Philippines. He spent a lot of time in the schools' bringing lots of joy, laughter, happiness and guidance to students, the community, and fellow Brothers. He was a De La Salle Brother for 70 years. In his spare time, he loved to update Sellner family genealogy, counted cross stitch, eating vanilla ice cream, and making Tik Tok videos. He is survived by his sister, Elaine Schueler of Sleepy Eye and brother, Jerome Sellner of New Ulm, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leander (Mary), Lawrence (Nadine), Albert, Vernard, and Erwin; sister Viola (Norbert) Wersal, brother-in-law Merle Schueler and sister-in-law Janice Sellner. His unwavering faith, dedication to service and education have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of crossing paths with him in the United States and the Philippines.