Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One for over 100 years.

Deborah Ann (Sell) Taylor

Visitation: Monday, January 20, 2025, 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Peterson Mortuary, 212 S. Locust Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Services: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 10:30 A.M., St. John Lutheran Church, Mineola, Iowa.

Deborah Ann (Sell) Taylor, 76 of Glenwood, Iowa passed away on January 16, 2025. She was born August 1, 1948 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Ruth Pauline (Roenfeld) Sell and Duane Nelson Sell. She spent her childhood on the family farm south of Mineola. She graduated from Glenwood High School in 1966 and she was united in marriage to Joe Edward Taylor November 29, 1968.

Deb earned her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Omaha, Nebraska after first attending Dana College. She later earned a Master of Education degree from Iowa State University, and her Professional Administrator certification from Drake University.

Deb retired from a long and distinguished career in education, serving as principal of Nishna Valley High School for 16 years. She was active in her church, St. John Lutheran in Mineola, Relay for Life, and P.E.O. She actively supported her nieces and nephews in sports, 4-H, and other activities. 

Deb and Joe loved camping and made many friends through their camping clubs. They enjoyed spending winters in Mission, Texas at Seven Oaks RV Park. They visited Alaska many times and traveled to India, Italy, France during their marriage.

Preceding Deb in passing were her parents and niece Sara Sell. Survivors include her husband Joe; siblings Mike (Mary Ann), Teresa (Mark), and Steve (Judy); nieces and nephews Johna Wolfe, Ryan Sell, Holly Miller and Travis Sell; Jason Buckingham, Amy Siedlik and Andrew Buckingham; Clay Lincoln; Shari Bakker and Samantha Winter; many great-nieces and nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Interment: Glenwood Cemetery, Glenwood, Iowa.

Memorial donations may made to St. John Lutheran Church.

17 Condolences

  • Marilyn and Willis Ballinger Posted January 17, 2025 7:34 pm

    Thoughts are with you Joe and family. Willis and MarilynMillsap/Ballinger

  • Lorna Hiley Posted January 18, 2025 6:28 am

    Dear Joe, Debbie, was always so Kind, Words are not enough to Shine on the Grace of Her Life. I’m so Grateful, to have been Her old Hairdresser, and Friend. Condolences to You, and all of Deb’s Family. Lorna

  • Marie Kawecki Bill Beaty Posted January 18, 2025 11:41 am

    Joe so very sorry for your loss. Deb was a great lady. We really enjoyed camping and enjoyed many years of fun.

  • DeAnna Posted January 18, 2025 12:52 pm

    Dear Deb’s family,
    I am so sorry for your loss. What a shock!
    Debbie and I grew up together…our Moms were pregnant at the same time…I am two weeks older than Debbie. Our parents were in Mineola Card Club for SIXTY YEARS…Mom and Dad organized the Club in 1948 to play Pitch❣️ They had so much fun and all of us kids usually went along so we had fun, too!
    Debbie and I went to St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola where we were Confirmed in 1962. We were cheerleaders together at Glenwood High School.
    Our lives were busy and full for years…our most recent time together again was at St John Lutheran Church at Quilting…Debbie brought then most unique and delicious snacks with such artistic presentation❣️
    Everything was “just so”!
    Debbie, your pain is over…R.I.P. Dear Friend. You left a huge hole…
    Love,
    DeAnna

  • Keila Dremstedt Posted January 18, 2025 2:08 pm

    Praying for peace and comfort ! Love my Sell cousins.

  • LaDonna Rossander Posted January 18, 2025 5:55 pm

    Dear JOE, WAS SO SHOCK AND I AM SO SORRY OF YOUR LOSS. I WORKED WITH HER WHEN I WORKED AT NISHNA VALLEY. ALWAYS SO SWEET AND UPBEAT. DO TAKE CARE

  • Jane DeLashmutt Posted January 18, 2025 8:22 pm

    Prayers for comfort for friends and family of Debbie. She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed..

  • Harva Paul Posted January 19, 2025 4:16 pm

    I first worked with Deb at AEA 13 when she was a transition coordinator. She was always upbeat, working to make a kid’s future the best it could be. Later, she was principal for all three of our children and multiple exchange students whom we hosted. She cared deeply about kids and wanted the best for them. I appreciated her support of the arts. I helped direct school plays for 7 years while Deb was a principal at Nishna Valley. She always made sure we had the facilities for practices and she kept the lighting and sound systems running while helping students learn how to operate them. She always professional in appearance and interactions. Our family truly appreciated her. She made a difference in many lives.

  • Kim Landon Posted January 20, 2025 8:40 am

    Sorry to hear Mrs. Taylor passed away. I had her for Home Ec in the late 70’s. Prayers to her husband and family. RIP Debbie

  • Pam Mayberry Posted January 20, 2025 10:41 am

    So very sorry to see Deb has passed away. She was a very sweet lady…Pam and Lyle

  • Pam Obrecht Posted January 20, 2025 4:36 pm

    Sympathy to all of Deb’s family. I had the privilege of knowing Deb for many years and enjoyed her friendship. When Deb was the Mills County Fair Queen she asked our two sons to be in her Coronation and carry her flowers and crown. Deb and I traveled many miles together to county fairs as we were both 4-H county fair judges in SW IA. It was my pleasure to have worked with her and know her.

  • Kathy Simmons Posted January 20, 2025 7:25 pm

    Prayers for Deb’s family I am so very sorry for your loss.

  • Ron Bowen Posted January 20, 2025 8:06 pm

    Joe & family,
    I’m so sorry to hear of Deb’s passing. I remember when she first came to Nishna Valley in 1972 when I was a senior and taught home EC and girls PE. She would send to study hall for dance partners when teaching folk dancing. I was one of her volunteers. Later when she became principal there I was fortunate to get re-acquainted with her when I drove a bus. Such a wonderful lady; she really cared about “her kids”. I know she will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • Ann Athy Posted January 20, 2025 8:51 pm

    Thinking of you, Joe, and keeping you in my prayers. Deb–Mrs..Taylor—was a friend and “boss” who made many years of my life special. She was kind and caring and always supported me and my daughters. She made teaching days important by including us in her planning and thanking us for all we did for kids. The after school chats were welcomed and the great snacks (including recipes) made my day more than once. I still make the cranberry frozen salad for Christmas that was from the cooking days she loved with her mom. She will hold a place in my heart always. Thanks, Joe, for standing beside her through all those days.

  • Linda Dean Posted January 21, 2025 12:06 am

    My thoughts and prayers go out to JDebs famuly .

  • Tom and Linda Nisely Posted January 21, 2025 8:39 pm

    To Joe and Family, we were so sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts of deepest sympathy are with all of you.

  • Mardeen “Marde” Kruse Moss Posted January 23, 2025 4:03 pm

    Joe and family..I was very shocked to hear of Debbie’s passing. I attended church at St. John Lutheran in Mineola with her and had known her since I was very young. Please accept my sincerest feelings of sympathy! She was a kind, very talented and generous person! May God Bless ALL of you and heal your pain.

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