Dwain Curtis Bell

Bell, Dwain Curtis 99, was called home on Sept. 4th after having a massive stroke. He was a business owner devoted to living the Christian life, loved his family, his church and his country. Dwain was born in Minneapolis, June 2, 1925, to John and Helen Bell. He is preceded in death by brother Harold (Bud), and sisters Harriet, Millicent, and Lillian and wives Aurel L. Bell (Aurrie) for 59 years and Marian Niederloh Bell for 12 years. He loved his six children - Janice L. Bell Schmidt (Gary), Joann S. Bell (deceased), David C. Bell (Lee), Judith M. Bell (Beth), Daniel D. Bell (Sandra), and James H. Bell (Verilette), 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. At an early age he started repairing things for his father and tended the family garden. Dwain attended Marshall High and then headed to the U of M to become an engineer. He had one quarter of classes there which resulted in being assigned to the Army's Combat Engineers where he served ably throughout WWII. Involved in the invasion of the Philippines and Okinawa, his division faced the roughest battles in the Pacific. His job was constructing bridges and every day was hit by enemy strafing. After the fighting ended in WWII at the age of 19, he was assigned to Korea where he worked on reconstructing a warehouse. Returning to the UofM after the war, he met Aurrie Waknitz and they were married after 6 months of dating. After graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in milling, he started his career at General Mill's in Louisville, KY. Later returning to Minnesota, he took a position at Seeger, a maker of freezers. Leaving Seeger for Univac, a pioneering company in main frame computers, he took a job in plant engineering where he managed multiple plants and a large team for facilities support. He helped launch a new professional association for plant engineering and facilities and was named Plant Engineer of the Year in 1965. Dwain had long wanted to have a family business and was thinking of farming or manufacturing. While still employed at Univac bought American Radiator Enclosures and with its sheet metal fabrication business that became the foundation later of Bell Manufacturing. In the early 1970's he purchased 1400 Marshall St. NE and moved his company there. After much renovation, this served as a facility for his company with his kids playing a role in helping with the business. In 1990 Bell Manufacturing was changed forever with a new customer, Room and Board. Since then, the business has grown and thrived under the ownership and management of James and Judith Bell. Dwain's father built Bell's Resort on Mille Lacs and Dwain and Aurrie's family worked numerous summer and winter seasons. In 1988, Dwain and Aurrie designed and built their family cabin next to the resort. The family spent countless times at the lake together and have fond memories. Christ English Lutheran Church was his home church where he served in many leadership positions as well as organizing men's retreats and ministries. With Aurrie, he traveled the country in support of Lutheran Men's Brotherhood. He has loved and studied the Bible every day, and his favorite book and chapter is Romans 12. He lived life to witness and help others and trusted in the Lord. He loved singing hymns. When Dwain and Marian married, they enjoyed the worship and fellowship at Grace Free Lutheran Church in Maple Grove and traveled together. On September 25th visitation precedes the Life Celebration Service at Hans Nielsen Hauge Memorial Chapel located at the Free Lutheran Bible College & Seminary, 3134 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. from 1:00 - 2:00 and service at 2:00. The service will be streamed. Interment will be at Fort Snelling on September 26th, meet in lane 4 no later than 12:15 PM. Memorials preferred to Mount Carmel Bible Camp, Camp Onamia, or PCYC, Minneapolis.

Tributes

Dwain Curtis Bell

June 2, 1925 - September 4, 2024

Tributes

Dwain Curtis Bell

June 2, 1925 - September 4, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203