Robert W. Wells

Robert Wayne Wells, 89, 405 27th Ave. S., Clear Lake, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at the Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, Mason City.

     A celebration of life party for friends and family was held on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at Apple Valley Assisted Living, 405 27th Ave. S., Clear Lake.  According to his wishes his 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, UIA or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. 

     Robert was born Sept. 2, 1925 in Olney, Ill., the son of Hobert Wayne and Mary Leona (Tolliver) Wells.  Bob was raised by his maternal grandparents Fredrick and Hattie Tolliver until the age of 16.  He then lived in Chicago at a WPA camp until he joined the Navy in 1944 and was stationed in the Kansas City, Kansas area. Bob met and married Catherine Ballew on March 16, 1946 in Kansas City, Mo.  They then moved to Washington D.C. where Bob was discharged from the Navy.   They were blessed with twin daughters in July 1947.    In 1957 they moved to Clear Lake, with their twin daughters, Patsy and Betsy. 

He worked for Rice Electric until he started Central Lock and Key in Clear Lake in 1961.  They moved the business to Mason City in 1964.  They continued to run the business until 2006 when he retired.  

His joys in life were his family. He spent many years enjoying time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He spent numerous hours telling personal stories of his life and listening to all the activities they were involved in.  His major hobby was beeping (metal detecting); Bob and Mike spent many years digging in dirt looking for treasures.  As the grandchildren got old enough they would tag along and help dig the holes.  He had to give it up in his early 80’s.  He just couldn’t get up when he got down on his knees.  Although he would sometimes get one of the great-grandkids to do the digging.  He also enjoyed traveling with Cathy throughout the United States after the girls left home.

     Bob is survived by 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 Aydelotte (Jason). Bob was blessed with 17 great-grandchildren, Tye, Toni, Addie, Eli, Jake, Salida, Nicholas, Thomas, Zoe, Jeffrey, Lily, Alelya, Sarah, Evie, Lukas, Ben and Laeton; and was anxiously awaiting the eminent birth of his first great-great grandson; sister, Maxine Kimpling-Donisi, Rock Falls, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Betty Schober, Reno, Nev. and Linda (Jack) Gordon, Reno, Nev.; and brother-in-law, Wayne Ballew, Sister, Mo. and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Catherine, on July 27, 2014.

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