Margaret Wells

Margaret E. "Betty" (Showen) Wells, 88, of La Crosse passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at her home. She died peacefully surrounded by her loving family and friends.

She was born June 20, 1923, to Lewis and Florence (Schaller) Showen. Betty was born in Sparta, but raised in La Crosse and attended Central High School. In November 1942, she married Goodwin D. "Jim" Wells, the love of her life and they were together for 67 years before his death in 2009. Betty was a faithful and active member of the United Methodist Church and over her lifetime was a member in Sparta, Trempealeau, Asbury in La Crosse, and, most recently, Wesley in La Crosse. At Wesley UMC she served on a number of committees, including the Church Council. She also served for many years as lay member to statewide annual conference, as recently as 2011.

Betty was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary in Sparta and La Crosse in which she served as an officer. She was a member of the Nakomis Grandmother's Club and was Grandmother of the Year in 2007. She was on the board of Partners of Gunderson-Lutheran and volunteered there regularly in the gift shop. She served on the Governing Board of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups. Betty completing their Statesmanship Advocacy Training Program and often went to Madison to advocate for Wisconsins seniors. She was also an active member and served on the Board of the local chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons.

Betty and Jim spent many hours fishing, golfing, traveling, entertaining, loved all family get-togethers, and volunteered in many areas in the community. Betty especially loved camping with her family. She was an avid reader. She loved to play cards and had many good friends at the places where she played regularly. She loved listening to opera and regularly attended performances of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra.

Betty is survived by children, Sharon Ames of La Crosse, James A. (Barbara) Wells of Madison, and Jeff (Diane) Wells of Massapequa, N.Y. and four grandchildren: Laurie (Jerome) De Florian, Keith Ames, Sarah Rowe (Harley O'Brien) and James E. Wells; and four great-grandchildren, Shawn (Amanda) Greenwood and Jessica, Keighley and Ryan De Florian; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Hall of Davenport, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim Wells; her son, Gary Wells; her infant sister, Roberta, and brother, Robert J. Showen; her brother-in-law Ellis Wells; sister-in-law, Pat Yahnke; and a grandson, Richard A. Ames, Jr.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 721 King Street, La Crosse. Pastor Ellen Rasmussen will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Sparta at 3:30 p.m. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and again at the church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials gifts in Bettys memory to Wesley United Methodist Church.