Julia Ella (Bell) Bland

LINCOLN

  Julia Ella Bell Bland, 90, of Lincoln, KS died February 18, 2023 at Haysville, KS. She was born November 3, 1932 to Jesse Earl Bell and Lillian Mary (Johnson) Bell in Salina, KS.  Left to celebrate her life include daughter Mary Hunt (Donnie), Belle Plaine, KS; sons Samuel Bland (Wendy), Orono, ME; John A. Bland (Marcia), Tigard, OR; Paul Bland (Lendi), Americus, KS; Mark Bland (Melissa), Conway, AR; Charles Bland (Rebecca), Claremore, OK; sixteen grandchildren; and sixteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse Rev. John W. Bland, and brothers Derriel Bell who died in infancy and Gail Bell who died in 1950 at age 22.

  She attended school in Salina, KS, graduating from Washington High School in Salina in 1950. Following high school, she enrolled at Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO and attended one year.  While there she met Rev. John W. Bland and they were married in Salina on October 21, 1951. As the wife of a minister, she was very involved in the many churches he pastored, often playing the piano and doing children’s sermons for the services. She was also a talented professional artist; she was prolific in ink, prints, and watercolor and oil paint and her work hangs in many homes, churches, and places of business around Kansas. Many of these paintings are displayed in wooden frames that she crafted. She also taught art classes part time to community college, high school and middle school students.  Earlier, she was employed by various photographers for whom she colorized portrait photographs with oil paints before color prints became common.  In addition, she was a published author and illustrator of eleven original books of children’s sermons that were based on material she developed and used herself in her own children’s sermons. The children’s sermons from her books are used in churches around the country.  She was skilled in the kitchen, and among the many delicious dishes that she put together, she specialized in pies which she sold to restaurants who in turn put them on their menus.

  She was a wonderful mother whose love and prayers were profoundly felt by many but felt most of all by her daughter and sons.

  A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2023 at Lincoln Cemetery, Lincoln, KS.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery, Lindsborg, c/o, Hall Chapel, PO Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455. 

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