Eugene 'Gene' Sell

Eugene “Gene” Sell, beloved father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather, died at his home on Feb. 28, 2009.

Gene was born Aug. 19, 1930, in Reading, Penn., to Eugene and Anna Sell. Gene, the oldest of two sons, received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State College in 1952. Gene started his career in Royal City with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation starting on the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. He later returned to Buffalo, N.Y., in 1957, where he met the love of his life and mother of his six children, Frances “Fran.” Gene and Fran returned to Ephrata with their first son, Gary, in 1964, and made Ephrata their permanent home thereafter. Gene returned to work with the Bureau of Reclamation and retired from the Bureau in 1991.

Gene loved to laugh and enjoyed the company of friends and family. Gene especially loved to travel, eat good food and go to Broadway shows. Gene was loved by all those who knew him. He maintained childhood friends from Reading and had lifelong friends throughout Ephrata. Gene was a fantastic cook, avid reader, jigsaw puzzle solver and, in his “younger days,” a snow and water skier. Gene’s life was full and rich with the love of his family and his faith in Christ.

Gene is preceded in death by his wife Fran, son Allan and brother Bob. Gene is survived by five children: Gary Sell of Quincy, Lynn and Scott Rogers of Moses Lake, Ron and Michiko Sell of Ephrata, Heidi Hawkins and Jesse Kriete of Quincy, Kevin and Andrea Sell of Pasco, Wash., 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Jennifer Wentworth, Chadd Rogers, Emily Wentworth, Sarah Hawkins, Brittany Rogers, Christian Hawkins, Austin Rogers, Ryan Sell, Taya Rogers, Ashley Sell, Weslee Kriete, McKenzie Sell, Cooper Kriete and Jaden Snyder and extended family: Charles and Georganne Wilfong, who have been a part of the Sell family and raised their children along with the Sell clan.

Gene will be missed dearly by those who knew him. The family wishes to thank all those who expressed their concern and sympathy. Thank you for all your prayers.

There will be a viewing on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Nicoles Funeral Home. A rosary will be held at 10 a.m. and memorial service at 11 a.m. at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 323 D St. S.W., Ephrata on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Ephrata. Arrangement are by Nicoles Funeral Home.