Obituary of Geraldine Sell

Geraldine Sell (née Liss) passed away June 12, 2022. Preceded in death by husband, George Sell, her parents, and daughter-in-law Dana Jones-Sell. Survived by her children, George (Christine), Mark (Penny), Marie, Paula (Tim), Thomas, and Eric; her grandchildren, Meryl, Claire, Erin, Bethany, Matthew, and Annika; and her great-grandson, Lennox.

Gerry was born in Milwaukee in 1933. She was the only child of first generation Americans. Her father's parents were Polish immigrants who came to America in the 1890's. Her mother's parents emigrated from Italy about a decade earlier. Gerry was raised in a Polish neighborhood of Milwaukee while spending the summers with her mother's Italian relatives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She felt a strong connection and pride with both communities and always looked forward to the opportunity to celebrate some aspect of her ethnic heritage, whether it be food, clothing, or music.

Gerry attended Mercy High School in Milwaukee where she graduated as valedictorian of her class.

After graduating, she enrolled at Marquette University. She majored in Mathematics and English, and minored in French. She taught both Primary and Secondary grades in Michigan and Wisconson. Gerry met her future husband while at Marquette. She and George married in June 1958 and raised six children. In moving and traveling with George throughout his career as a mathematician, Gerry was fortunate to have lived in several cities across the United States and Europe and to have had the chance to visit countless other places around the world. Her interests included orchestral music, the arts, and hosting family and friends for wonderful celebrations.

She was an active participant in her community on many levels with her work at Saint Joan of Arc Church, the Field-Regina Neighborhood Group, the Minneapolis Public Schools, numerous PTA's, and the League of Women Voters, working tirelessly to improve life for everyone. She was particularly proud of her work towards desegregating the Minneapolis schools through her involvement in the pairing of Field and Hale Elementary Schools, and her later appointment to a Governor's Task Force.


Memorials preferred to Minneapolis Public Schools South High Foundation or Doctors Without Borders.

A celebration of life will be held at St Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55419 on June 23, 2022.
Visitation at 10AM with service at 11AM. Reception to follow service.