Shell, Linda J. 1942-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

Linda Joy (Seifert) Shell, 82, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2025. She was born on Aug. 21, 1942, in St. Joseph, the daughter of Donald and Edna (Thompson) Seifert. Linda attended Savannah, Missouri, and Lafayette High School, and then took business classes at Missouri Western State University.

In 1960, she married Vernon Colwell. They divorced after 16 years. In 1978, she married Larry Smithers, whom she later divorced. In 1988, she married Rodney Shell and shared 27 wonderful years with him, until he passed away in 2015.

Family was the most important part of Linda’s life. She loved reminiscing and telling stories from the past. She also loved baking pies and hosting dinners for family and friends. She enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, playing Bingo, and card games. Linda was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Altar Society. She was full of advice, full of energy, and was always finding something to do. She didn’t hesitate to help others and was happiest when those around were happy as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Vernon Colwell and Rodney Shell; brother, Wib Seifert; and sister, Nancy (Seifert) Simmons.

Linda is survived by her brother, Bob (Eunice) Seifert, St. Joseph; children, Nena Colwell, St. Joseph, Connie Colwell, St. Joseph, Lee Colwell, Denver, Colorado, Tim (Amy) Colwell, St. Joseph; granddaughters, Heidi (Tom) Surritt, St. Joseph, Courtney Colwell, Denver, Marissa (Ben) Reinicke, Denver, Lyla Colwell, St. Joseph; great-grandson, Drake Surritt, St. Joseph; and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith-Sidenfaden Chapel. Cremation will follow after the celebration of life service with private inurnment at Ashland Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of floral arrangements, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.