Marietta Wells' Obituary
Marietta Wells passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on January 24, 2026, after a brief illness. She went gently, with her loving daughter Kim by her side.
Marietta (Stockton) was born on July 27, 1940, in Livonia, Missouri, the cherished daughter of Herman and Gracie Stockton. She graduated from high school in 1959 and soon moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she began working at Allied Insurance. That summer, she met Joe Wells, the man who would become her husband and lifelong partner. They were united in marriage on September 5, 1959, at Livonia Baptist Church in her hometown.
The couple started their married life in Des Moines before relocating to Nevada, Iowa, and finally settling in McCallsburg, Iowa. In McCallsburg, they built a loving home, raised their family, and watched their three children attend and graduate from the NESCO schools.
Joe retired from the National Animal Disease Laboratory in Ames at age 55. Marietta was 50 at the time, and together they purchased a home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where they snow birded for over 25 years. They built a whole other life there, surrounded by many lifelong friends who became like family. Marietta moved back to Ames 7 years ago.
Marietta and Joe were blessed with three children: Joseph Acklen Wells Jr., Kimberly Ann (Wells) Minette (married to Larry Minette), and Jeffery Scott Wells (married to Sara).
She was a devoted grandmother to 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She also treasured her hundreds of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, who filled her life with joy and laughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Gracie Stockton; her brother, Basil Stockton; her sisters, Neva and Diana; and her beloved husband, Joe Wells, who passed away on January 12, 2017.
Marietta lived a life rooted in faith, family, and quiet kindness. She will be deeply missed and forever held in the hearts of all who knew and loved.
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