Wells, Ruth M. 1909-1992

WELLS, CARTER, RICKARD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/12/2010 at 14:33:29

Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Dec. 21, 1992

RUTH M. WELLS

Ruth M. Wells, 83, of Rte. 1, Grinnell, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, at her home.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday at the Grinnell First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Robert C. Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Knoxville, officiating. Organist was James Severe, and vocalists were Patty Evans and Mary Edna Sherman.

Pallbearers were Richard, Larry, Don, Rick and Brian Wells, Larry Tischer and Rod Weiss. Burial was in Chester Cemetery, with the Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Elevator Fund.

She was born April 19, 1909, near Texhoma, Texas, the daughter of Elmer and Ella Carter Rickard. The family moved to Sedalia, Mo., and in 1913 moved to a farm in Chester Township north of Grinnell. She attended rural school and later graduated from Grinnell High School in 1927. She received her teaching certificate from the former Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, and in 1962 received a B.S. in elementary education from Drake University.

She was married to Willard Wells March 14, 1936, at her parents' home. The couple farmed in Washington Township south of Grinnell. She taught in rural schools until 1960, then was assigned as a fourth-grade teacher at Davis Elementary School in Grinnell where she taught until her retirement in 1972.

Mrs. Wells was a member of the First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Isabella Brande Guild. She was also a member of the DAR and the DAC.

Surviving are her husband; three sons, Richard of Belle Plaine, Larry of Sarasota, Fla., and Don of Evansville, Ind.; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one great-granddaughter.