Ria Newell

Died February 9, 2017 Gisela Ria (von Salzmann) Newell, was born and baptized in 1922 in Kloster-Mansfeld, Germany and raised in Achersleben, Germany. She died peacefully on February 9, 2017. Married to Harlan (Bill) W. Newell on September 24, 1949 in Munich, Germany. She came to the United States on Christmas Eve 1949. She and Bill settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where they raised three children. Ria became a naturalized United States citizen in 1956. Ria taught German at Laurel High School, Shaker Heights, Ohio, for 15 years after her family was raised. She retired with Bill to St. Paul, MN where she played golf (winning many trophies in the senior league!) and gardened. She grew so many vegetables in her garden that she had enough for the whole winter! Ria volunteered at the Minnesota History Center for over 20 years, translating letters from early Minnesota settlers that were written in old German script. In their later years, Bill and Ria enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Ria is preceded in death by her husband Bill, and survived by her children, Willard, a.k.a Rick (Cheryl), Lynne (Larry) Nelson, and Harlan (Lisa). Ria has eight grandchildren, Nathanael Newell, Martha (Nelson) Growdon, Rachel (Nelson) Rodrigues, Aaron Nelson, Courtney (Newell) Mirville, Allison Newell, Kelsey (Newell) Schleyer, and Samuel Newell; she has 5 great grandchildren. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25 at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, 549 Portland, Ave, St. Paul. Visitation one hour before the service. Private burial in Cleveland, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Alzheimer's Association of Minnesota, 7900 West 78th Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55439.