Linn A. Wellman

Linn A. Wellman

March 17, 1945 • June 4, 2025

Linn A. Wellman, 80, of Willmar, Minnesota, died Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Visitation was held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. There will be a private family burial at a later date. 

As the sun rose up over the Mississippi River, Linn left this earth and joined family members who passed before him in his heavenly home. 

Linn Arnold Wellman was born March 17, 1945, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the son of Albert Davis and Violet (Mistelski) Wellman. He was the second child out of 10 children, five boys and five girls. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Christian Faith. Linn grew up in the Aberdeen, South Dakota area and graduated from Aberdeen High School. He then attended a trade school for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. Linn moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as a print setter and a printer for Concordia Publishing House before retiring due to his disability. 

When Linn was 17, he was paralyzed in a water-skiing accident. He had to learn to walk, talk, read, and write all over again. He never let life get the best of him, he maintained a positive attitude even when he had one of his nasty headaches or at the end struggling to breathe. When asked how he was, Linn would turn it back and say, “How are you?” It was never about himself, always concerned for others. Linn will always be remembered for his strong faith and the kind, caring, and gentle way he lived his life. He enjoyed reading his Bible, doing puzzles, visiting with friends, watching baseball and football. 

Linn is survived by his two daughters: Lise Swift of Rolla, Missouri and Laurel Vernia of San Diego, California; grandchildren: Jordan (Patrick) Powell, Dillon (Kate) Swift, twins Autumn and Morgan Swift, Peter Jensen, and Grace Jensen; two great-grandchildren: Van and Banks Powell; estranged wife Doris Wellman; four siblings: LaReta Keppert of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Ilene Helmer of Andover, South Dakota, Albert (Peggy) of Brooklyn Park, and Anita (Rick) Horecka of Benson, and many relatives and friends. Linn was preceded in death by his daughter Linnette Jensen, parents Albert and Violet Wellman, brothers: Allan, Alvin, and Arlin, sisters Marlene Schmid and Alonda (James) Wittenberg, brother-in-law Orville Helmer, niece Julie Cook, and nephews Chad Wellman and Norm High Elk. 

Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson assisted the family with the arrangements.