Janette WELLS

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WELLS: (nee Cruise) Janette Doris Wells passed away peacefully Friday, February 13, 2009 with her family by her side. She was predeceased by her precious daughter Georgia Lee in June of 1960, her brother Robert ( Tobe), neice Judith Ortloff and by her mother and father, Bill and Olive Cruise of Dauphin Manitoba. She was born in Dauphin on January 18, 1929, the third of four children. She grew up on the family farm and had many happy stories to tell of time spent with her sisters and mother - doing chores, picking berries and just having fun with one another. She attended school in Dauphin and later moved to Winnipeg where she attended Angus Business College to receive her training as a stenographer. It was in Dauphin that she married Ed Wells on May 10, 1952. Together they had three children, Georgia in 1953, Clint in 1956 both born in Dauphin and Kim in 1958, born in Hartney. They moved to Hartney in 1958 where they had purchased the B.A. Garage. A business they would own until 1966. She always had a “head for numbers” and loved to learn , so despite a full time job and a busy family life she completed her CGA by studying correspondence courses and traveling to Brandon, to attend night courses at the university. She could often be seen - sitting at the kitchen table after midnight with her head down deep in concentration. We, as her family, were very proud of her achievement as we knew how much it meant to her. She was employed by the Hartney Co-op for many years as their accountant.. She also worked for Meyers Norris Penny in Souris for two years before returning once again to the Hartney Co-op as General Manager. She was very active in both church and community activities. She was a past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and held many other offices. She was the Secretary Treasurer for the United Church on two occasions, also served on the Board of Stewards, a Junior Choir leader, C.G.I.T. leader, Sunday School teacher , member of the Rebecca lodge, the Hartney Curling Club, Hartney Golf Club and most recently at the age of eighty - a joyful member of the newly formed Hartney Community Choir. She was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Tara, Melissa, Jillian, Cole and Jessica. They meant the world to her and she loved them so very much. “Granny” was an avid reader herself and would willingly ready story after story to them when they were at her house. Sometimes - the same book, over and over. She loved to watch them participate in their sports events, music and drama festivals, school activities, 4-H or whatever they happened to be involved in. She was supportive of everything thing they “dreamed up” that they should do and encouraged them in all of their hopes and dreams. She was truly grateful to have been able to share so much of their lives. She couldn’t have been more proud of the young adults that they have grown up to be. She was lucky to have spent time with her new great grandchildren Saydee and Mayson and was “tickled” to look at the many many pictures that Tara and Melissa would email so that they could watch them grow. She loved her daughter-in-law Tannis and son-in-law George, always careful “not to interfere” but always there for them in her own quiet way. Ed was truly her best friend. Throughout their 57 years of marriage they shared many great times together. Family holidays were enjoyed at the cabin at Dauphin Beach where they shared good times with family members and old friends. You seldom saw her without Ed as they enjoyed so many of the same things. She loved to just go “for a drive” exploring back roads and new countryside, maybe while on their way to the horse races or out to discover a new golf course that they hadn’t tried yet. She loved to play golf , and her trusty four wood has seen many fairways. She curled for many years - well into her seventies - and together they traveled to many Briers. She could easily spend a day watching curling or golf on TV - or away to a rink or ball diamond to watch the local teams play. She could pass the day away reading a book, doing crosswords or working on a jigsaw puzzle. She loved music, listening to and singing with the church. community and gospel choirs. She truly just preferred the simple things in life and did not like anyone making a fuss over her. We are so thankful that we were able to celebrate her eightieth birthday with her – for we know that she had a great day. She had a quiet and faithful relationship with God and so with her passing we are comforted by the knowledge that she has been reunited with those that have gone before her whom she loved so well. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her husband of 57 years, Ed of Hartney Manitoba, her son Clint (Tannis) of Deloraine, their children Tara (Cory), Melissa (Shawn) all of Bentley Alta, and her great grandchildren, Saydee, Braydon, Brittney, Austin and Mayson. Her daughter Kim (George), of Lauder, Manitoba, their children Jillian, Cole and Jessica Turner. Her sister Margaret (Earl) Ortloff of Edmonton Alta, and sister Ev (Don) Cooper of Calgary, Alberta. Sister in law Doreen (Robert) Cruise of Dauphin, Manitoba, and their families. Cremation has taken place and she was laid to rest in the Hartney Riverside Cemetery. Funeral services were held at the Hartney United Church on February 18, 2009.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 25, 2009