Rebecca Lee Bell

Rebecca Lee Bell, age 69, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021 in Mankato.

Memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church 612 Jennings, Sioux City, IA. Visitation will starting at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until the time of the service at the church. Luncheon will follow. 

Rebecca Lee Bell was born May 28, 1952 to Wayne and Arlene (Witte) Bell in Estherville, IA. She graduated from Odebolt-Arthur Community Schools Odebolt, IA in 1970. Becky received her bachelor’s degree in Library Science from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. She earned her Master Degree from the University of Denver, Denver, CO.

Becky’s career began in Pierre, SD working for the South Dakota State Library.  In 1990, she accepted a position at Hickory Tech in Mankato, MN, where she worked many years.  She later worked for Mankato State College as the Assistant Director of the PALS office.  After leaving Mankato State, she served as a consultant to university libraries for SUNY, The State University of New York. 

Becky was an extremely knowledgeable and trusted library professional and was well respected for her knowledge of library IT services.  She once traveled to South Africa to train librarians in the use of a newly implemented system.

Becky loved her cats.  She was an avid reader having read thousands of books in her life. She especially loved family gatherings.  She participated in community theater while in Pierre.  She loved movies and was fond of musicals.  A special memory for her was working with Kevin Costner and his wife during the filming of “Dances with Wolves” in South Dakota. 

Becky gave the best hugs always sharing her love.

Survivors are four siblings, Wayne (Rebecca) Bell of Springfield, MO, Charles (Shelba) Bell of Rockwall, TX, Laurie (Jeff) Baldwin of Sioux City, IA and Nancy (John) Bierschwale of Centennial, CO; eight nieces and nephews, John Bell, Emily Haynes, Erica Roper, Chrissy Scott, Mindy McKenzie, Cody Peck, James Bierschwale and Kate Bierschwale. 

Becky was preceded in death by her parents.