Gertrude Beatrice Sehl
Tuesday, September 26, 1922
Date of Death:
Monday, August 20, 2018
Age:
95 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday August 23, 2018
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday August 24, 2018
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Friday August 24, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery, Chatfield, MN [ view map ]
Tuesday, September 26, 1922
Date of Death:
Monday, August 20, 2018
Age:
95 years old
Tuesday, September 26, 1922
Date of Death:
Monday, August 20, 2018
Age:
95 years old
Gertrude Beatrice Sehl
Gertrude Beatrice Sehl, age 95, died Monday August 20, 2018 as she prayed she would: quickly and after an enjoyable morning spent at the farmhouse she loved in the company of two of her many beloved children and one of her favorite caregivers. Bea was born on September 26, 1922 in Waseca, Minnesota to John and Mary Cecilia Keily, the youngest of their six daughters. Bea was a longtime resident of Rochester, having moved here with her family at the age of twelve. In 1940 she graduated from Rochester High School. She then earned a two-year degree from Rochester Junior College, and thereafter worked as a Medical Secretary at the Aero-Medical Laboratory at Wright Field in Dayton Ohio, and at the Mayo Clinic.
In 1945, Bea married the boy next door, Francis Gaffney Sehl, at St. John’s Catholic Church. She became a homemaker, and over a span of twenty years, she and Francis welcomed fifteen children into the world. After Francis’ death in 1971, Bea moved her young family to the homestead settled by Francis’ maternal grandparents in the 1870’s. Bea continued to reside at the home where she raised so many of her children, joyfully maintaining her independence to the end. Though her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are far flung, all loved to visit her “on the farm,” where there was always much laughter, fun and mischief.
Bea was a Realtor and a Developer, and never considered herself retired. She and Francis emphasized education to their children, and in 1980 Bea herself fulfilled a lifelong goal, earning her four-year undergraduate degree from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. She shared the stage with her ninth child, daughter Sheila.
Bea is preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, Anthony; and daughters, Barbara and Deborah. Survivors include her five sons, Eduard (Jerilyn), John (Donna), Michael (Jenny), Martin (TeeCee), and James (Wendy Krueger); and seven daughters, Mary Susan (Carl Rowold), Cheryl (Larry Estes), Cynthia (James Schmit), Pamela (Barry Zins), Sheila (Richard Hutchison), Maureen Owusu and Shaun. Bea was blessed to have eighteen grandsons and five granddaughters, as well as nineteen great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2018 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the Mass at the Church on Friday. A funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, August 24 at St. Pius X Church with Fr. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Condolences
The family of Gertrude Beatrice Sehl has received the following condolences.
Dear Sehl Family,
Bea was truly amazing! She raised an amazing family! I know she and Francis will be interceding for you, from above.( I think they've met the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph.)
Life isn't easy. Grieving isn't easy. Process your feelings, and you will eventually come out on the other side. You have loved her much. Grieve her thoroughly, and you will carry
her in your heart forever. I was blessed to know such an amazing woman and family! God bless all of you. Betty Renner
Dear Cindy and all the Sehls,
Martha just let me know that your beautiful mother died. I have always loved your mom who was so welcoming and gracious when I would join the family at the dinner table with the 2 half gallons of milk. I have seem Mrs. Sehl, as I always called her, mostly at funerals. What a beautiful death, but you lost your mother and that is not easy. I wish you all good days of wonderful memories and that sadness is there as well as we all know.
Take care of yourselves.
Fondly,
Mary Beth
Dear Jeri, Ed and family,
I wish to send loving thoughts and prayers for all of you. No matter the age, it is still difficult to lose a parent. She is a very pretty lady and I can only imagine how much she
must have adored her beautiful family! God bless all of you! Cherril
What a great life she had. I remember riding bike “up the hill” to hang out with Ed and Sue, Mary Decker, too, and plan the dance parties we St Pius kids had during their years up there. Fine memories. Mother Sehl was calm and in control amidst a sea of baby Sehl’s coming and going in all directions. I’m happy to read she had a long life to enjoy the fruits of her labors. My best to all surviving kin.
Mike and the Sehl family,
What an amazing,strong and smart lady! I really enjoyed working with Bea and getting to know her over many years. I learned many important things from her that I will always be grateful for.My thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Gary Schueller
Dear Ed and family,
What a wonderful woman to celebrate tomorrow! I walked over several younger siblings to "pre-school" at your home (which was already a full classroom)! We were gifted with such wonderful parents and families.
Ed, Jeri and my classmate Sue,
So sorry to see the passing of your mother. She and your father were such good friends of my parents. Bea was a gracious host on those early morning goose hunts that began out at "the farm". Such a great person. Hope all those terrific memories of your mother will be remembered by all the Sehl's over and over again.
Mike Sitzer
To Ed, Jeri and all of the Sehls,
I also did not know your mom Ed, but she sounds like she was a well loved and well lived woman. And 15 children! Wowsers!
Please know you’re in my thoughts.
Pat/Patty Towey Gibbons
Dear Ed and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I never knew her but what a remarkable and amazing woman she was. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
Mary
Ed and family,
i remember your mom with fond memories. What a wonderful long life she had. Wishing you peace and comfort at this time.
Annie Riley
Ed , Jeri, and Sehl family
Sorry to hear about your mother. Carry on the legacy of her and your dad. Rochester and Lourdes has been blessed by the presence of the Sehl family.
Thinking of you .
Jon and Barb
Dear Ed and Family,
Your Mother sounds like a force. And a grace. And an amazing woman. And now she can have a rest
from saving the world. My condolences but also the celebration of her beautiful life.
Love, Suzy Conway
My Sweet Bea. You are a One In A Million.... Thanks for all the fun times together. My favorite ... watching The Mn Twins til 12;30 a.m. Yes they did win that game. We cheered, High Fived Each other and went to bed. She loved the MN sports teams. To Beas children... she was a Very Proud Mother telling tales of many memories of ALL of you.... God Bless You All... Kathryn
Dear family of Bea,
your mother was an amazing woman and her own legend. She will surely be missed by many.
i was wishing I were home this month (living in CA) so I could come and see those of you I knew. Special condolences to Mikey
Pat Simon
Condolences to the Sehl family. Sorry to hear of Bea's passing, she was a wonderful person.
Mark
John, Donna and all the Sehls. Our sincere condolences on the loss of a great lady-your Mom. I had the pleasure of chatting with her at Josh’s wedding. After listening to her stories about her children I kissed her and told her she was my hero! RIP Mrs Sehl.
Angela and Steve
Although I didn't personally know Bea I did know and work for her daughter, Sheila Hutchison and I can only image what a wonderful lady she was based on the stories Sheila conveyed on numerous occasions about her Mom and on what a wonderful person Sheila is. My sincere condolences to the entire family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bea and I had a very special connection. We had many laughs and a few cries together. She was a very special lady and will be very much missed. We used to call each other “girlfriend” and then laugh about it. We shared so many memories both happy and sad and many stories. Every time I would leave the house she would always want a kiss and would say I love you.
I will miss my friend.