Reverend Bell

Reverend Willard Bell, age 92, Brainerd, MN, retired minister of the United Methodist Church, died Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at his daughters home in Farmington, MN. Funeral Services will be Thursday at 11:30 AM at Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd with Reverend Rory Swenson officiating, burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Brainerd. The relatives will receive friends from 6 till 8 PM on Wednesday at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter-Brainerd. Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter-Brainerd, MN.
Willard Vincent Bell was born in Pilot Mound, Iowa on July 8, 1909 to William and Lillian (Towers) Bell. Willard graduated from Boone High School in Iowa in 1927 and attended Asbury College in Kentucky before getting his undergraduate degree from Morningside College. He completed his Masters at Columbia University and was awarded a degree in divinity from Drew Seminary in New Jersey. Willard served Christ as a United Methodist minister for sixty years in Iowa and Minnesota most recently in Aurora-Hoyt Lakes and Motley. He was united in marriage to Mabel Bahr in June of 1992. His love for the Lord and learning grew with the years.

Reverend Willard Bell is survived by his wife, Mabel; 2 daughters, Margaret (Larry) Thompson of Dallas, Texas, Marilyn (Jack) Olwell of Farmington, MN; 3 sons, David (Simm) Bell of Salt Lake City, Utah, Charles Bell of Brainerd, Richard (Deborah) Bell of Nisswa, MN; stepchildren Don Bahr of Bemidji, MN, Donna Stedbom of Iowa, Sandra Bahr, Joanne Swenson, Delbert Bahr of Brainerd and Gary Bahr of Brooklyn Park, MN; 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Julia (Boyd) 1931 ? 1954; 2nd wife, Alice (Weaver) 1956 ? 1991; 1 daughter, Doris Browning & 3 sisters.

Submitted by: Brenny Funeral Chapel 2120 Excelsior Road Baxter, Minnesota 218-828-5051