Donald Sellheim

Donald Sellheim, age 95, died peacefully on March 29, at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks.

Donald was born April 12, 1924 to Henry and Viola (Goetz) Sellheim and was raised in Hensel, ND.  He married Margurette (Marge) Indridason on January 25, 1944.  Donald joined the U.S. Navy on November 14, 1944 and completed basic training at Farragut Naval Training Station, Farragut, Idaho in Aviation Ordinance and another 6 months of training at Norman Naval Air Station in Norman, Oklahoma.  After basic training he was sent to Alameda, CA and served on the Carrier Air Service Unit.  He was proud to have his family recognized as a “Five Star” family for having five members of their family serving in WWII.

After his time in the military, Donald farmed with his wife Marge in the Hensel/Cavalier area for 17 years.  After farming they moved to Grand Forks where he worked for the City of Grand Forks at the Grand Forks International Airport for 23 years, retiring at the age of 62.  In retirement Donald and Marge did some traveling, which included Arizona and Alaska and did a lot of fishing and hunting.

Donald lost both legs to diabetes.  The first amputation was in 1999, and the second in 2008.  Marge died in 2012 after 68 years of marriage.  Donald lived for 1 ½ years in assisted living, 6 months at the VA hospital in Fargo, 2 years at Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier and 4 years at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Orville and Dale Sellheim, sister LaRue Van Hoosier, an infant daughter Deborah, and a granddaughter Wendy Sellheim Spenst.  He is survived by  sisters Marianne Bilyeu, Kay Lindell and Betty Goldstone, in addition to his son Donavon (Georgine) Sellheim, daughter Diana (Gregory) Henke, son Dean (partner Cathy) Sellheim, grandchildren - Kris Soonpaa, Dawn Sellheim, David Henke, Tod Sellheim, Adam Sellheim, Megan Sellheim; and five great grandchildren, in addition to a special caregiver and friend Heidi Wolf, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials should be made in Donald’s name to University Lutheran Church or Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks.  Special thanks to Heidi Wolf, Pastor Tom Colenso and the staff at Valley Senior Living and Wedgewood Manor for all their care and compassion during the final years of Donald’s life.

A celebration of life service will be held 11:00 AM Friday, July 30, 2021 at University Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church.