Calvin Larue Sewell, 84, of Laurens, died Thursday, May 5, 2022. He had been ill for several weeks due to a series of strokes.
He was born on May 28, 1937, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of James and Marie (Howard) Sewell. When he was a young boy, the family moved from Missouri to a farm near Odebolt. Calvin attended Richland Township country school north of Odebolt and graduated from Odebolt-Arthur High School in 1956. He attended Kansas City Bible College for one year.
On April 12, 1958, Calvin married Ruth Druivenga in Arthur and they became the parents of seven children. They raised their family in Arthur and Lytton, later moving to Sac City. Ruth passed away in 2000. On April 4, 2009, Calvin married Mary Lou Burton and in 2013 they moved from Sac City to Laurens.
Among other jobs, Calvin drove a cream route for many years and also operated a small engine shop in Sac City. An avid runner since childhood, Cal ran his last race in Albert City in 2021. He also enjoyed bicycling. Calvin and Mary Lou were members of Bethel Baptist Church in Newell where he served as a Sunday School teacher and usher. He had a close relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ, and worked to bring others to a saving knowledge of Christ.
Calvin is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, and by four sons and two daughters: Tom (Roberta) Sewell of Loves Park, Ill.; Chris Sewell of Norfolk, Neb.; Dan (Sonja) Sewell of St. Charles, Mo.; Andy (Kristin) of Sac City; Julie (Arvid) Huisman of West Des Moines; and Melissa (Todd) Folk of Reedsville, Pa. He is also survived by two step-daughters: Mary Davis (Ken) Niehus of LeMars and Rose (Mark) Sutton of Wahoo, Neb., a brother, James Sewell, and a sister, Betty Sewell both of Arthur; ten grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Rosa Sewell of Liberal,KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; son, Tedd Sewell; sisters Donna and Alice; daughter-in-law Linda Sewell; son-in-law Bill Keller, and father-in-law, Charles Burton.
