Paul Selders

Paul Leverne Selders, one of ten children of George Samuel and Ruth Viola (Lipp) Selders, was born near Lewis, Iowa on May 25, 1919. He has five living brothers and sisters, Raymond, Ralph, Helen, Dorothy, and Mildred. His youngest sibling, Theodore, died in a swimming accident while Paul was fighting for our country in WWII. His brother George passed away in the mid-1950s as well as twin siblings who died in infancy. Paul was a disabled Army veteran of World War II, serving in both the European and Pacific Theatres.

Following the war, Paul and Edith Ellinor Winther were married on July 10, 1946. Edith was the youngest of six children of Jens and Marie Winther. She was born in Audubon, Iowa on July 24, 1924 and is survived by brothers Ben and Ray. Her brother Lawrence was killed in action during WWII and her sisters Harriett and Gudrun have also passed away. Edith and her siblings were the first generation to be American born, as both of her parents came here as immigrants from Denmark to farm in the Audubon area. Many of Edie's relatives still live and farm there.

Paul and Edith were blessed with two children, Linda and Randy. Paul was a television repair man and the family lived in several southwest Iowa towns before settling in Macedonia where he opened a television repair shop. Edith enjoyed being a housewife, a proud mother of their children, and a devout Christian. She was a consummate baker--Randy and Linda fondly remember the hot, fresh bread she had ready for them everyday after school.

Paul enjoyed collecting information for the Selders family history and collaborated with both close and distant relatives all over the country. The Selders ancestors came to America in the early 1700s and settled in Pennsylvania. The original house is still standing and occupied. Paul and Edith were fortunate enough to visit it before their health began to fail. They also enjoyed trips to Florida and to visit granddaughter Simone when she was a year old.

Paul and Edith were married for nearly 60 years when Edith died at their home in Macedonia, Iowa on January 13, 2007 at the age of 82 years, 5 months, and 19 days. Paul passed away only four days later on January 17, 2007 at the Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 87 years, 7 months, and 22 days. They were preceded in death by their parents; siblings; and twelve year old grandson Jordan Harrison in 1996.

They are survived by their brothers and sisters; son Randy Selders of Macedonia; daughter Linda Nazzal of Antelope, CA; grandchildren Simone Nazzal who is a freshman at Stanford University in California, Jason Selders of Council Bluffs, IA, Erin Kreft of Omaha, NE, Michael Stanfield and Philip Steadman of Council Bluffs; six great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.