Julie Ann Sell
It is with great sadness that we in the office had to say goodbye to Julie Sell, the “backbone” of Ropers Sports News production and a fixture at the Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping in Reno, Nev.
Julie Ann (Nelson) Sell, 67, passed away on March 17, 2020 at the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center.
Julie was born to Joanne and Willard Nelson on August 21, 1952 in Crookston, Minn. After spending the first few years of her life in Fosston, Minn., the family moved to Galt, Calif., where she grew up with her two brothers, Lanny and Randy. Her grandfather, Ray Hanson, owned the Galt Movie Theatre, where she spent many of the hot summer days (and first contracted Beatlemania). She attended Galt High School, graduating with the class of 1970.
After many adventures sailing around North and South America with her Uncle Jay, she settled back down in Galt in 1976 and continued her work as a graphic artist at The Galt Herald. There she met Larry Sell, who, much to her surprise, would become the love of her life.
Julie and Larry got married on March 20, 1982. They raised two children, Anna and Jacob, moving from Galt to Minnesota, then Washington...then back to California again. After several years at The Galt Herald, Julie continued her work as a graphic artist at Ropers Sports News in Lodi, Calif., before retiring in 2014.
Anyone who knew her could tell you that Julie was a force to be reckoned with. She was a cancer survivor, and she taught us all to cherish life, love hard, and not take any crap from anyone. She was fierce, honest, rebellious, creative--and so nurturing. On any given holiday, it was not uncommon for there to be at least one extra wayward child at the table. She welcomed everyone, and had more than enough love (and food) to go around. Julie was a voracious reader, especially fond of mystery novels and true crime stories. She spent the past 10 years joyously helping her grandchildren grow and learn. She had a very strong connection to the ocean, and always felt most at peace when she was on the coast.
Julie is survived by her husband Larry Sell, her daughter Anna Sell, her son Jacob (Tanya) Sell, her brothers Lanny (Natalie) Nelson of Galt and Randy (Judy) Nelson of Kennewick, WA, her four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was an irreplaceable part of all our lives, and she will be greatly missed.
Due to current public health restrictions, the memorial service will be postponed. If you would like to honor Julie’s memory, just sit down and listen to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. And think of her the next time you catch a glimpse of the sea.