Eileen Ann Sele, 83

Eileen Ann Sele, age 83, of Lake Bronson, MN, passed away on Saturday January 6, 2024, at the Edgewood Assisted Living in East Grand Forks, MN.

Eileen Ann, daughter of Chester and Clarise (Lind) Collins, was born May 30, 1940, in Greenbush, MN. She attended school in Lake Bronson and worked on the family farm.

On September 1, 1956, Eileen was united in Holy Matrimony to Glenn Vernon Sele of Lake Bronson at the Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Bronson. Their marriage was blessed with sons Danny and Brian, and daughters Tammy and Lori.

Glenn and Eileen operated the Toot and Tell Drive In restaurant for one year, and Eileen started working as a clerk for the United States Postal Service in 1966 in Lake Bronson. She later became Officer in Charge at the Post Offices in Lancaster and Hallock. Eileen also became Postmaster in Lake Bronson in 1985, where she served customers during the 100th anniversary of the Lake Bronson Post Office in 1988.

She retired from the Postal Service in 1997, but she especially enjoyed working with area Postmasters and Rural Carriers and always ensured the mail was delivered accurately and on time.

Eileen also worked at Jim’s Greenhouse in Lake Bronson seasonally after her retirement to showcase how her heart bloomed with every petal attended.

In 1994, Glenn and Eileen moved from their home in Lake Bronson and established their new home near the lake in Percy Township, where Eileen enjoyed flower gardening, sewing, quilting, and spending time with family and friends. She also spent time with games and crossword puzzles, nature, and birdwatching from her beautiful home.

Dancing provided Eileen an opportunity to stay active throughout her life and establish many friendships. Eileen’s great-granddaughters gave her the name “Polka Grandma,” as she taught them how to do the Polka.

Eileen was active in the community. She was always willing to volunteer for the Lions Club, was a founding member of the Lake Bronson Improvement Committee, and participated in Friends of the Park and Postal Service Associations. She was also an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. Glenn and Eileen were married for 44 years, until Glenn’s passing in September of 2000.

Eileen is survived by her sons Danny Sele of Bloomington, MN, Brian Sele of Hallock, MN; daughters Tammy Sele of Lake Bronson, and Lori (Lowell) Swanson of Grand Forks, ND; brother Gary Collins of Mount Vernon, IN; sisters Sherilyn Carlson of Minneapolis, MN, and Dianne Ullman of Minneapolis, MN; and brother-in-law Rick (Patti) Sele, Lake Bronson, MN; granddaughter Christine (Shawn) Simon of Grand Forks; grandson Patrick (Crystal) Sele; great-granddaughters Summer, Allie, and Aubree Simon; great-grandsons Kevin and Austin Sele; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; parents, Chester and Clarise Collins; brother, Larry Collins; infant brother, Roger; brothers-in-law, Wally Sele, Jerry Carlson, Jerry Ullman, and Duane Klegstad; and sisters-in-law, Martha Sele, Sharon Klegstad, Darlene Gustafson, and Debbie Carlson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church of Lake Bronson, MN. Visitation will be held at the church for an hour before the service. Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock.

Austin Funeral Chapel