Luella Anita (Gesme) Chell

Luella Anita Chell (Gesme), born of Hildu and Casper Gesme, Feb 21, 1934. Passed peacefully June 22, 2021, ending her long journey with Alzheimer’s. 

Lue was steeped in a childhood of family, warmth, and humor framed with faith.  She was a creator of art and learning, children and joy. She shared her view of the world through her paintings, her children, home and school, her volunteer work at camp, in the art world, and at church. 

Lue was a lifelong artist. Her first mediums, pond clay and wax crayons melted on the stove pipe. She later worked in watercolours and pen & ink, exploring clay, sculpture and book illustration in later life. She paid attention to the tiny details of nature, the roots, the foundations of life.

Lue’s art was exhibited internationally and she shared her gift of art to help organizations such as Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR). She volunteered as a guide at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and was an active member in the Jasper Art Guild and Hinton Art Club. 

Luella created joy in the lives of others, most evident in her relationship with James Arthur Chell, teenage sweetheart and husband of over 64 years. Meeting in high school, attending college together, they cultivated a life of love and faith that grew as they emigrated and navigated citizenship to Canada, the raising of six children, career changes, retirement and the sharing of life passions.

Luella studied Education at Gustavus College in St. Peter MN, and later extended her degree at the University of Calgary and University of Alberta, where her gifts for teaching were nourished and refined. As an elementary and ESL teacher, the children of schools in Davenport Iowa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, as well as English language learners in Jasper and countless Sunday Schools grew as learners and explorers of the world's wonders under Luella's tutelage.

Luella is: Mother to Joel (Lisa), Peter, Paul (Maureen), Edward (Lara), Michael (Wanda) and Anna (Quinn); grandmother to Erika, Helena, Kai and Liam, Andrew, Tanner, Evan and Annika, Jens, Cézanne, and Kajsa, Anton and Kalle, Mikayla and Simon; great grandmother to Zaira. Each carries the examples of imagination and beauty she fostered. She is also survived by her sisters Elaine, Marjorie “Marge” and Nadine “Deanie”, brothers-in-law Ted (Janet) and Jonathan (Surya) and numerous nieces and nephews. Lue is predeceased by her parents, in-laws, Arthur and Evelyn Chell, and brothers and sisters; Harold (Lila), Wendell (Rose), Doris, Vivian (Kenneth), and Ruth (Fillmore), brothers in- law Obert Kappedahl, Leslie Kurtz and Duane Anderson and sister in-law Faith (Ed) Gose.

Lue participated in and was supported by many communities of faith. A special thanks to her community of care at Mountainview/Hinton Continuing Care Centre and Grace Lutheran Church.

Graveside service planned for July 2, 2021 at 1:30 pm at Hinton Woodlawn Cemetery. Open to all family and friends if restrictions are lifted - limited seating so bring your own chair if you would like to sit during the service.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the CLWR (Canadian Lutheran World Relief) https://clwr.donorshops.com/product/520E429GEN/where-needed-most

We welcome you to share a photo of Luella's artwork or a special story by contacting the family.

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