Anita Bell Gell 1915- 2017

GELL, FORTNEY, WILLITS, JOHNSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/12/2017 at 07:21:12

Sioux City Journal
22 February 2017

SIOUX CITY | Anita B. Gell, 101, of Sioux City, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Faith United Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be noon until service time Thursday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Anita Bell Willets, the daughter of Andrew and Estella (Fortney) Willits, was born on April 6, 1915, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Her parents farmed near Ft. Dodge, and her father also worked as a switchman for the railroad. Anita was the oldest of three children.

Anita married Kenneth Johnson and moved to Sioux City. She was employed in various careers including cosmetology and retail. Anita worked as a buyer for Thorpe Jewelers in Sioux City, and counts that as her favorite job of all. She loved going on buying trips to Chicago. After the death of Kenneth, Anita married Elmer Gell of Sioux City. She had no children of her own, but enjoyed Elmer's two sons, David and Richard; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren, as if they were her own.

Anita was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Business Sorority in Sioux City. She was a longtime member of Morningside Presbyterian Church and still worshiped with them every Monday at Sunrise Retirement Community. Anita was an avid swimmer, golfer, and tennis player, and credits her long life to her active youth. She and Elmer spent many happy summers on Lake Okoboji, where she swam every day and enjoyed the lake life.

Anita is survived by her stepson, Richard Gell and his wife, Penny of Cornelius, N.C.; her stepdaughter-in-law, Marjorie Gell of Omaha; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Kenneth and Elmer; two brothers, Richard and Robert Willets; and stepson, David Gell.

The family has requested that memorials be directed to Faith United Presbyterian Church.