Marian H. Wells

Marian H. Wells, 84, formerly of Havre and Glasgow, Mont., died at her daughter's home in Elgin, Ore., after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April, 2011, at 11 a. m., at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Havre. A vigil will be held at Holland & Bonnie Funeral Home of Havre on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at 5 p. m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande, Oregon.

Marian was born July 24, 1926 to John and Diana (Beaupre) LaJimodiere in Medicine Lake, Mont. Her childhood was spent in Medicine Lake and Glasglow, graduating from Glasglow High School in 1943. She married Eugene "Bud" Rice in Kalispell, Mont., in 1944. The couple divorced in 1948. She worked as a waitress in Glasgow, working at Johnny's Cafe, where she developed a strong family relationship with the cafe's owners. She married Lewis Wells in Glasgow in 1950 and because of Lewis' occupation with Burlington Northern, their married years were spent living between Glasglow and Havre. Lewis died in October 1974 and Marian moved back to Havre in 1979.

Marian worked as a store clerk for Safeway in Havre, Buttrey's in Glasglow and Havre, and she retired from Albertsons in Havre in 1995. She was active in the store clerks' union and found great satisfaction in volunteering her time. She was a dedicated worker and took pride in serving the public.

When Marian lived in Havre in the 1960s, she was involved in the Altar Society at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church and served as den mother for her son Bob's Boy Scout troop. When her children attended St. Jude's and Havre Central, she was very active with the CYC program, attending all her daughter, Jann's, softball games and her son's basketball games. When she retired, she became active with the Eagles and VFW auxiliaries, holding many offices with the VFW and helped prepare and serve weekly dinners with both organizations.

Marian was an excellent bowler and recounted stories of the many trips she took to "National" to participate with her team. While in her 70's, Marian learned to play pool and played on the Golden Eagles pool team for the Eagles Club.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Pat Able of Conrad, Mont., Leona Olson of Havre, Mont., May McLaughlin of Great Falls, Mont., and Helen Hettman of Havre, Mont.

Survivors include her son, Robert Rice of Missoula, Mont. ; daughter and husband, Jann and Einar Fugelseth of Elgin, Ore. ; daughter-in-law, Dottie Rice of Havre, Mont. ; brother, Leonard LaJimodiere of Texas; two grandsons, Rob Rice of San Diego, Calif. and Bill Rice of Salt Lake City, Utah; one granddaughter and husband, Marianne and Joel Culley of Havre, Mont.; one great-grandson, Jacoby Culley of Havre; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Those who wish may make contributions in her memory to the American Cancer Society in care of Daniels~Knopp, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, OR 97850.