Wells, Harry Lee "Mike" 1913-1998

WELLS, RALSTON, MARX

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2017 at 16:49:16

Wells' Dairy founder Harry dies

LE MARS, Iowa - Harry Lee "Mike" Wells, 84, of Le Mars died Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998, at the Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen, Iowa following a lengthy illness.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars, with the Rev. Richard Ries officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 of Le Mars. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with the family present from 7 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.

Mr. Wells was born Dec. 15, 1913, in Le Mars, the son of Fred and Miriam (Ralston) Wells Jr. He was raised in Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1934. While in high school, he was captain of the football team, class president, and a member of the student council and the National Honor Society. He also worked with his brothers in the family dairy. He moved to Sioux City, where he delivered milk door to door.

He married Frances E. Marx on June 22, 1935, in Sioux City. In 1940, the couple moved to Le Mars, where he worked at the dairy and was eventually the head plant engineer and production manager, selecting, installing and maintaining all machinery and equipment. He was also responsible for the personnel of the engineering and production departments.

He served in the U.S. Navy with the Seebee's Division during World War II. Following his discharge, he returned to Le Mars and worked in the family business, becoming founding part-owner of the Wells' Dairy Inc. He retired in 1976.

He was a member of the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 and the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed fishing and flying his plane.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Robert of Reno, Nev. and David and his wife Marilyn of Le Mars; two brothers, Roy F. and Fay and his wife Betty, all of Le Mars; three grandchildren, Michael, Brian and Neal Wells; and a great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold.

Pallbearers will be Michael, Brian, Neal, Steve, Dan and Doug Wells.

Sioux City Journal
Friday, February 20, 1998
Sioux City, Iowa