Obituary: Shellby Trettel

On January 8, 2024, the world stopped turning just for a moment as our lives were forever changed by the loss of a beautiful soul, Shellby Marie Trettel. In her short 22 years here on earth she made a tremendous impact on those she met. Her uniqueness and colorful character shined bright even in dark moments. Shellby’s love for her family, her friends, and her community will forever be honored and remembered.

Shellby was born in Sonora, California on Nov. 26, 2001. Her father and biological mother moved back to Cloquet, MN in 2002 to be closer to her father’s family and raise her in a small, close-knit community. Shellby attended Cloquet public schools where she enjoyed both band and theater. Shellby graduated from Cloquet High School in 2020 and was planning out her future goals and aspirations one step at a time as she was continually learning about where she fit in most in this unpredictable world.

Shellby was creative, smart, generous, extremely kind, full of humor, thoughtful, brave, and had so much positivity which she spread to those around her like wildfire. She enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, fishing with her dad, camping, all things related to music and the paranormal, caring for animals especially her pet lizard Nova, traveling, connecting with others online, and being silly with her siblings.

Shellby began working at the Super 8 hotel at the age of 16 as a housekeeper and had switched to a front desk representative soon thereafter. She loved her job and those she worked with as they all made her feel like she was part of a team. Her co-workers became extended family over her years there, and she enjoyed many adventures with them outside of the hotel as well. Shellby also worked for a period of time at a local restaurant and at the FDL Head Start where she followed in her dad’s footsteps and became a maintenance worker. Shellby made an impact at each of her places of employment regardless of time spent there and never even realized the ways in which she touched people’s lives. She was truly a genuine, tender hearted and well-loved young woman,

Shellby is survived by her father Timothy Trettel (Tara Cohen), bonus mom Bethany Thompson, and birth mother Kristina Scott (Jeffery Scott). Her siblings McKenzie Flores (Nathan Flores), Tristan Trettel (Hope Bryant), Gracie Trettel, Patrick Defoe III, Kaylin Defoe and most recently the addition of three bonus siblings Skylure Cohen, Jessica Cohen, and BreAnna Cohen (Mike Brown). Her nephew Ace Flores and bonus niece Alice Cohen. Her grandparents Sandi Podvin and Peter Trettel along with her aunt Tiffany Trettel and many other cousins, family members, friends, co-workers, and loved ones. Shellby is preceded in death by both sets of Great Grandparents: Joseph and Punky Podvin and Edward and June Trettel.

Shellby Marie Trettel’s memory is engraved in all of our hearts and a guiding light for those who had the honor of knowing her. Shellby’s legacy of kindness, positivity, and her colorful unique personality will continue to shine forever. Rest in paradise our dear, sweet Shellby and we all love you endlessly. The family requests that those who plan to attend Shellby’s Celebration of Life honor her by wearing a flannel with a band t-shirt or a hooded sweatshirt as this is her preferred style.

A service to celebrate Shellby’s life will be held from 4- 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet with a time of sharing beginning at 5:30 p.m. Following the service, an after party will continue in her honor at the River Inn in Scanlon.