Frieda Wells

Frieda Wells, 96, of Billings, Mont., mother of former librarian Carolyn Wells, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015.

She was born Feb. 24, 1919, to Reinhold and Elizabeth Guenthner, the oldest of 10 children who survived infancy. Her parents farmed in Mercer County, N.D., where she spent her childhood working on the farm.

As a young woman she attended business college in Bismarck, N.D., with her sister, Edna. After school she worked as a teller for the Union State Bank in Hazen, N.D. After moving to Montana in the fifties, she went on a blind date with a carpenter, Leroy Wells, who was working for her landlady. They married in October, 1954. She adopted his daughter, Carolyn. She was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Laurel, where she served as the church organist off and on for years. Her favorite things were baking, making noodles, gardening and quilting. She especially enjoyed the ribbons she won at the fair. She was a volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital's Audio Visual Library. She was a woman of strong faith and great generosity. She will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; her sister, Edna, and Edna's husband, Gordon Arthurs; three brothers, Raymond, Alvin and Howard; three sisters-in-law, Elda, Rose Mary and Ruth; and three siblings who died at birth.

Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn; five brothers, Harry Guenthner and his wife, Delores, Duane and his wife, Mary Ann, Byron and his wife, Arleen, Ted, John and his wife, Nancy; one sister-in-law, Emogene Marty; and numerous nieces and nephews. There are also numerous cousins in North Dakota.

A visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Cremation & Funeral Gallery on 29 8th Street West in Billings. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 9:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church located at 5th Ave. at 9th St. in Laurel, followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Billings. A reception followed at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or the charity of one's choice. Condolences can be sent through http://www.cfgbillings.com through "Our Families."

Arrangements were by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.