Wells, Fred H. 1885-1954

WELLS, RALSTON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/2/2009 at 20:42:19

FRED H. WELLS

Fred H. Wells, founder of Wells Dairy and co-founder of the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Co. of Sioux City, passed away at the Sacred Heart Hospital today, Monday, November 1, 1954, following a lengthy illness.

Fred Wells was born January 9, 1885, in Chicago. He was married to Miriam Ralston on February 6, 1907, there.

Mr. Wells started as a very small milk business, the Wells Dairy, on November 1, 1913, 41 years ago to the date of his death. Ice cream was later added. Through his efforts and his sons efforts, the business was gradually built over the years until now it is the state’s largest independently owned ice cream manufacturing plant.

Fred H. Wells was well-known throughout the area, and was well-known and respected in the dairy industry throughout the whole country.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 4, at 2:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in LeMars. Remains will be at the Mauer Funeral Home in LeMars until service time.

Survivors include his wife, Miriam R. Wells; sons, Harold, Harry, and Fay, of LeMars, and Roy of Sioux City; fourteen grandchildren and one great grandson; a brother, Howard Wells; and sisters, Jessie Kensley, Ella Mae Hill, Florence Schmidt, Stella Hampton, all of Seattle, and Nellie Chenhall, LeMars.

~Source: The LeMars Globe-Post, November 1, 1954