Reverend Howard L. Wells Obituary

Reverend Howard L. Wells, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at his home in Apache Junction, AZ. He was born on September 12, 1927 to Clifford and Bessie (Garner) Wells on a small farm outside of Tabor, IA. After graduating from Tabor High School in 1945, Howard joined the army and while in Germany, met his first wife, Adelheid (Rose) Anna Klinner. They were married in Tabor on October 10, 1948.

Howard received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the Nebraska State Teachers College in 1960, but soon after felt called to the ministry. In 1965, he graduated from the Drake University Divinity School in Des Moines, IA, and for thirty-five years, he served as the pastor of the Fairview United Church of Christ in Corning, IA. After Rose's death, Howard retired from the Fairview church and moved to Arizona to be closer to his two daughters. Howard then met Ruth M. Butt in Apache Junction, and they were married in Plymouth, WI on October 28, 1995.

Howard lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed his family and friends and reached out to those in need with a kind word or smile. He loved his art – especially painting and woodworking.

Howard is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth, of twenty-one years; his two daughters, Noelle and Betty; sister, Marlene; step-children, Diane (Lowell), Linda (Nate), Sandra (Tim), Mark, and Mary (Glenn); 10 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held over Memorial Day weekend in Tabor, IA.