Mildred Hansen Wells, 87, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

She was born Feb. 12, 1917, in Sterling, Colo., the daughter of John and Ogle (Smith) Hansen.

She attended all 12 years of schooling in Stoneham, Colo. In 1936, Mildred moved with her parents and six siblings to Bigfork, where she met and married Robert Wells on Jan. 19, 1937. Robert and Mildred lived in Bigfork, until 1949, when they moved with daughters, Joelyn and Donetta, to a farm in Ferndale.

During this time, Mildred cooked for the Ferndale School District for 18 years and had a son, Douglas. She was always very involved in community events and especially enjoyed sewing circle. In 1980, they moved to Kalispell, and in 1984, Robert passed away.

In her retirement years, Mildred enjoyed the warm winters in Tecopa Hot Springs, Calif., and in 1989, moved to Phoenix. She remained there until coming to live at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in 2001 with her cousin and best friend, Noreen Bjork.

Mildred enjoyed traveling, dancing, doing multiple craft projects, playing games and visiting with family and friends. She was very involved with activities at the Lutheran Home and always enjoyed a good game of pinochle. She was a member of the Rebecca Lodge in Bigfork and the Ferndale Sewing Circle.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Wells; daughter, Joelyn Murer; grandson, Jake Wells; and a great-granddaughter, Madison Murer; also four brothers, Ingwald Hansen, Leland Hansen, Arthur Hansen and Harold Hansen.

She is survived by her daughter, Donetta Barney and husband, Bruce, of Yuma, Ariz.; a son, Doug Wells and wife, Lori, of Kalispell; and sisters, Norma Walton of Kalispell, and Jean Day of Bigfork. "Nanny" is also survived by nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mildred L. Wells will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Little Brown Church in Bigfork. Burial will follow in Lonepine Cemetery next to the church. Visitation will be held from noon to 6 p.m. today at Johnson Mortuary Chapel.

The family suggests that any memorial gifts be sent to the Arthritis Foundation, Montana Branch, 1643 Lewis Avenue, Ste. 3, Billings, MT 59102-4151.

Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.