Mary Kathleen Wells

Mary Kathleen (Ruth) Wells, 60, of rural Oxford, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2024. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Saint Peters Catholic Church, Cosgrove with Father Francis Mensah officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, December 9, 2024, from 4 – 7 PM at the Cosgrove Institute, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 PM. A general memorial fund has been established in Mary’s name.

Mary was born January 17, 1964, to Richard and Emilie (Cox) Ruth in rural Oxford. She was one of nine children that grew up on the farm located one mile west of Windham. She went to Clear Creek Schools, which included Cosgrove, Oxford and Tiffin. After graduating high school in 1982 she attended cosmetology school at Sharon Doran’s Academy in Iowa City. Mary was a hairstylist at several different salons during her career. She had a special place in her heart for the elderly clients. She was also employed at Walmart as a cashier for over 20 years, at both Coralville and Iowa City stores. Mary met Rick Wells, and they were married on October 14, 1989. They have four sons, and five grandchildren. Mary enjoyed talking to customers, friends, and relatives., she had the gift of gab. While working as a cashier she would burst into song. She loved being on the family farm, where they had lived for the past 14 years. She enjoyed going on cruises and going to the casino. Most important to Mary was her family and her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband Rick of rural Oxford; sons: Rick (Chelsea) of Parnell, Matthew (Nakia) of Oxford, Jeremiah (Stephanie) of North Liberty and St. Kitt’s, West Indies, and Jonathan (Marisa) of Conroy, Aaron (Nicole) Clayton of Iowa City; five grandchildren: Vada, Opal, Gideon, Henry and Adelyn; six siblings: Darlene Barney of Arkansas, Pat Ruth of Oxford, Judy (Rob) Dailing of Missouri, Gerri (Joe) Turecek of Iowa City, Colleen Rempe (Scott Ham) of Ft. Madison, Joe Ruth of Oxford, sisters-in-law: Elaine Ruth of Missouri, Karen Ruth of North Liberty; father and mother-in-law Dick and Marilyn Wells of Belle Plaine; sisters-in-law: Cindy (Mark) Castle of Minnesota, Sandy, Lori, Julie and Tracy; brother-in-law Brian (Amy) Wells of Atkins; two besties of 45 years: Diane Briggs of Muscatine, Karen Smeland of New York, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Mary in death were her parents, two brothers: Dick and Bill Ruth, stepfather Ralph Young, brother-in-law Richard Rempe and great-niece Elisa Clayton.