Robert Wayne Wells, 89, Clear Lake, Iowa, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, Mason City.

A Celebration of Life Party for friends and family at Apple Valley Assisted Living, Clear Lake. According to his wishes, his body was cremated after the family had a private viewing at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. The family requests that memorial 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, Illinois, 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 March 16, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri. 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, Iowa, 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 the activities his children were involved in. His major hobby was beeping (metal detecting). Bob and Mike spent many years digging 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 80s when he just couldn’t get up after getting 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, Iowa, 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; sister-in-law Betty Schober, Reno, Nevada, and Linda (Jack) Gordon, Reno, Nevada, and brother-in-law Wayne Ballew, Sister, Missouri, and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and wife Catherine (July 27, 2014)

Published in Globe Gazette,Mason City, IA - February 26, 2015