Darlene Vivian Wells

Darlene V. Wells, age 74, of Batavia, IA, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009 at Washington Care Center in Washington, IA.

Family visitation will be held at 9:00 AM, one hour prior to the service, on Friday, March 27, 2009 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, with Rev. Thomas Shipley officiating. Interment will be in Batavia Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be made to Batavia Library, or Batavia Cemetery. Cards and memorials may be sent c/o:
P.O. Box 119
Batavia, IA 52533

Darlene Vivian Wells was born January 30, 1935 in Fairfield, IA to Ernest and Merle Marie (Martin) Hartley. She was raised in the Glasgow area and worked from the mid-1950's to the mid-1960's at Universal Producing Company. Darlene was librarian at the Batavia Public Library from the early 1970's until 1976, but continued to serve as a back-up throughout the 1980's. She also worked as a cook at Cardinal Elementary School in Batavia from 1976 until it closed in 1984.

Darlene married Donald Wells in Fairfield on February 15, 1963, and they made their home in Batavia, moving to their permanent residence in 1964. Through the years, they enjoyed fishing, gardening, and traveling together. They especially enjoyed creating crafts, with Darlene crocheting and sewing, when she wasn't helping Don paint. He preceded her in death on October 8, 2008.

Darlene is survived by her sons; John Wells, and David (Jodi) Wells, both of Batavia; one granddaughter, Hannah; and one sister, Irene Filson of Birmingham, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.