Robert C. Sellnow

Obituary

Robert Clarence Sellnow was born on December 8, 1939, on the farm in Blakeley, Scott County, Minnesota, where he lived until he was one. He was the son of Clarence and Pearl (Sanken) Sellnow. Robert was baptized as an infant on December 17, 1939, by Pastor W. Schuetze, and later confirmed in his faith on April 3, 1955, by Pastor Roland Gurgel, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. He received his education at Trinity Lutheran School in Belle Plaine. His grandmother raised Robert after his mother passed away when he was four. His dad remarried when he was 14, and when he was 15, Robert moved back to the farm and worked there. Robert farmed until he went into the Army.

Robert entered active military service on July 20, 1964, and served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was Honorably Discharged on July 19, 1968, having achieved the rank of SP5.

On November 10, 1963, Robert was united in marriage to Judy Heldt at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. For the first five years of marriage, Robert and Judy lived in several different locations while he was in the service. When they came back to Minnesota, they settled on a farm north of Glencoe. Their marriage was blessed with three sons: Jon, Randy, and Brian. Robert and Judy shared 57 years of marriage when Judy passed away on September 16, 2021.

Robert was a welder for many years. He was employed at Glencoe Manufacturing, Schwartz Manufacturing in Lester Prairie, and Lemke Welding in Glencoe. Robert was also a truck driver, and he enjoyed farming. He retired in 2000.

Robert was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe and really enjoyed visits from Pastor Welch once he moved to Harmony River Living Center. He was very proud of his service in the Army and in the Vietnam War. Robert was a member of the Glencoe VFW Post #5102 and the Silver Lake American Legion Post #141.

Robert enjoyed traveling, playing cards, and tinkering in the shop. He was a very generous person and cherished the time he spent with his family and friends.

When he needed assistance with his care, he became a resident of Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson and passed away there on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the age of 85 years. Blessed be his memory.

Robert is survived by his:
Sons,   Jon Sellnow and his wife, Mary of Glencoe, MN, Brian Sellnow of Glencoe, MN, and Randy Sellnow and his wife, Sandy of Rochester, MN;
Grandchildren, Matt Wentzlaff, Marissa Rannow, Joe Shanahan and his wife, Katie, Aaron Woodruff;
Great-grandchildren, Hayley Rannow, Jordan Rannow, Lucy Shanahan;
Sister-in-law, Leona Sellnow of Belle Plaine, MN;
Brother-in-law, Dennis Heldt of Lester Prairie, MN;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his Wife, Judith (Heldt) Sellnow; Parents, Clarence and Pearl Sellnow; Step-Mother, Caroline “Carrie” Sellnow; Brother, Allan Sellnow; Sister-in-law, Carol Heldt; Brothers-in-law, Ortwin Heldt and his wife, Waltraud, Earl Heldt Sr. and his wife, Margaret.