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Helen Marie Sellman, age 92 of Shafer, passed away October 18, 2025. 

She was born on her parents farm in the rural Turtle Lake, WI, area. Her parents were John P. Jansen and Eva R. (Ingha) Jansen.

Helen graduated from Barron High School in 1951. She went on to work at Kresgees Drug Store and attend teachers college both in Rice Lake, WI. She taught at two one room schools. One was Yellow River School, then after three years she went to Happy Corners School, which is still standing today, but is a private home. She went on to get a four year degree and her Masters from University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She also won Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 1970. She met her future husband, Maynard, at a square dance in Polk County, WI. They were married September 6, 1958. They were married for 63 wonderful years until Maynard’s death in 2021.

She taught for the Chisago Lakes School District (sixth grade) for 30 years. She retired from teaching in September of 1994. 

She left a huge imprint on her former students. Helen loved being a teacher, and would go above and beyond to help any way she could.

In her retired years, she enjoyed sewing for family and working at the St. Croix Falls Sewing Center. She became her mother’s and husband’s caretaker in their final years. She loved gardening and feeding her birds and deer. She also became sister Neva’s co-pilot on several road trips. 

We were extremely blessed to have had her as a part of our family. She was an amazing aunt, great aunt and great-great aunt.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Maynard, three sisters – Mae, Joan and Neva, three brothers-in-law, Leroy, Ken and Luther.

She is survived by two nephews and six nieces and all of their families. Last, but never least, her cat Stripey.

We loved her very much and she will be deeply missed by her family, neighbors, friends and former students.

Service was October 25.

Memorials can be sent to Bluebird Recovery Program, 2609 133rd Street West, Rosemount MN 55068.

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