Derwood Wells

 Derwood E. Wells, 81, of Clear Lake, passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center- North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa, surrounded by his family.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, Iowa, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.

Should friends desire, memorials may be left to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Derwood’s name.  Condolences may be left in care of Darlene Wells, 2110 14th Ave. N., Apt. 202, Clear Lake, Iowa, 50428.

Derwood Edward Wells was born on Jan. 14, 1931 in West Union, Iowa, the son of Bernyl and Adele Wells.  Derwood graduated from West Union High School in 1949, he then enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was a parachute packer.  He attended meat cutting school as well as barber school.  He then attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa and graduated with a BA in education.  He taught school in the Sheffield-Chapin school district for 33 years before his retirement.

Derwood was united in marriage to Patricia Kjos on June 8, 1952; to this union three sons were born.  Patricia preceded him in death.  He later married Darlene Schwisow in 1985.  

In his free time Derwood enjoyed motorcycles, pheasant hunting, and fishing in his younger years.  He also liked golfing with friends, playing cards, walking, and spending time with his family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Darlene; sons, Steve and wife, Linda, Clear Lake, Scott and wife, Carolyn, Topeka, Kan., and Mick and wife, Charlotte, Solon, Iowa; his step children, Sherry Brouwer and husband Steve, Aplington, Iowa, Brenda and husband Darwin Avery, Ventura, Donna Tobin, Texas, and Laurie Wright and husband Leo, Omaha, Neb.; his sister, Marjorie Schwinefus and husband Wayne, of Decorah, Iowa; as well as his many grandchildren, step grandchildren, great grandchildren, step great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and two sisters.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.