Catherine L. Wells

 Catherine L. Wells, 84, Clear Lake, went to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City, Iowa.
A Celebration of Life Party for friends and family will be held from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Apple Valley Assisted Living, 405 27th Ave. S., Clear Lake. According to her wishes her body has been cremated after the family had a private viewing at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. The family requests that gifts be given to Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

     Cathy was born in Glasgo, Mo., Sept.25, 1929, the daughter of Herbert and Polly (Miller) Ballew. She moved to Kansas City, Mo. with her family as a teenager. She worked at a local drug store where she met Bob Wells in 1945. They were married there March 16, 1946. They then moved to Washington D.C. where Bob was mustered out of the Navy. They were blessed with twin daughters in July 1947.
In 1957, the family moved to Clear Lake. Cathy worked at Easter’s Grocery Store and then United Home Bank until she became the bookkeeper for Central Lock Inc., owned by Cathy and Bob until she retired.
Cathy and Bob were instrumental in starting the Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church where they have been members since its inception.
Cathy loved to oil paint pictures of her Native American Heritage and did so for a number of years using the name “Singing Bird.” She had an extremely kind heart and sweet spirit and was always the first in line to extend help if needed.
After the girls left home, Cathy and Bob enjoyed extensive time traveling throughout the United States. She enjoyed time with Bob, the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Cathy is survived by her husband, Bob Wells, Mason City; twin daughters, Betsy (Mike) Deets, Garner, Iowa, and their children, Matthew Deets, Michelle (Dan) Yezek, and Nathan (Nola) Deets and Patricia (Doc) Gilbert, Clear Lake, and their children, Todd (Angie) Gilbert, Chad (Doy) Gilbert and Jennifer (Jason) Aydelotte. Cathy was also blessed with 17 great-grandchildren, Tye, Toni, Addie, Eli, Jake, Salida, Nicholas, Thomas, Zoe, Jeffrey, Lily, Aleiya, Sarah, Evie, Lucas, Ben and Laeton; three siblings, Betty Schober, Reno, N.V., Wayne Ballew, Sister, Mo. and Linda (Jack) Gordon, Reno; and several nieces and nephews.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents and nine brothers and sisters.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangement.