Frances Irene Wells

A life well lived has come to an end. Frances Irene (Good) Wells, age 102 years, died on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the Primrose Retirement Community in Gillette, Wyoming. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor George Moore and retired Pastor Joel Wright officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery next to her husband of 60 years, Lee C. Wells. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013 at Gillette Memorial ChapelFrances Irene Wells was born on October 10, 1910 the daughter and oldest child of James Albert and Ela Rosiland (Mann) Good in Ewing, Nebraska. She was followed by Agnes, who died as a young girl, Maurice, Rua and June. The family came to Converse County by railcar and was quarantined in Douglas, Wyoming for small pox before moving to their homestead in the Dull Center area. Frances attended school in rural Converse County, received her Normal Training Certificate in Chadron, Nebraska to become a teacher. She taught school for several years in the Dull Center Community. She proved up her own homestead and bought a car, which she loved to drive after a good rain. Her future brother in law moved to the area to work for a local rancher, bringing with him his handsome brother, Lee C. Wells. Frances and Lee were married on August 23, 1937 in Columbus, Nebraska. To this union two daughters were born, Patricia and Bette. They moved their family to Rozet, Wyoming in 1943 and then sold the homestead in 1945 to move into Gillette, Wyoming. Frances was an excellent seamstress and worked many years for the Shamrock Cleaners and the City Cleaners. Besides doing alterations and custom sewing in her home she was an excellent quilter. Frances was one of the founders of the N.E.W. Quilt Guild. Frances retired from doing alterations when she turned 100 years old due to her eyesight. Frances also crocheted caps for the newborns for the Campbell County Hospital. Teddy bears became her signature item and became highly prized at the Festival of Trees. She was a 4H leader, a rock hound, fisherman, gardener, cookie baker, jelly maker. Frances was a member of the Eastern Star and a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church for over sixty years.She is survived by her two daughters: Patti (Mark) Knotts and Bette Bailey both of Gillette, Wyoming; five grandchildren: Becky Merchen of Gillette, Wyoming, Sonny Knotts (Tami) of Casper, Wyoming, Chris Harwood of Spearfish, South Dakota, Susan Ness (Greg) of Aurora, Colorado, Justin Bailey (Sharon) of Pinehaven, Wyoming; thirteen great grandchildren: Mike (Ashley) Merchen , Stephanie (Eddie) Kirchoff , Jessica Harwood, Brian Ness, Kyle (Janna) Merchen, Joshua Ness, Taylor Harwood, Nathan Ness, Josey Bailey, Hunter Bailey, Cole Knotts, Emma Knotts and Katelyn Ness; great-great grandchildren: Hailee, Trinity and Alayla Merchen, Alandria and Alex Thorne; step great-great grandchildren: Jacob and Kiley Neumann-Smith, Frances Irene Merchen and many nieces and nephews.Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother and three sisters.Memorials and condolences can be sent in her name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 W. 5th St. Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences can be sent via the website tribute center www.GilletteMemorialChapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716