Lena Belle Martin Wells

She was born on October 5, 1923 in Nineveh, NY, a daughter of the late Jesse and Edith (Burke) Martin. On August 29, 1943 Lena married Nelson A. Wells, Sr. and just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary last year.

Lena attended Oneonta High School, graduating in 1942. She was a very hardworking woman, holding many different jobs throughout her life. She worked at Spaulding’s Bakery after graduation, and then at Scintilla Magneto Co. in Sidney. Lena also worked at Kresges Dept. Store and Grant’s Store in Oneonta, at Fox Hospital in housekeeping, the Homer Folks TB Hospital in Oneonta, and the Oneonta Sewage Treatment Plant.

Lena was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post# 1206 of Oneonta and the Rebecca Lodge of Otego. She was a longtime member of the West End Baptist Church for many years, and followed Rev. Mel Farmer to the River Street Baptist Church when he became the Pastor there.

She will always be remembered as a good wife and mother. She loved to cook, her specialties being macaroni and cheese and apple pie. Lena also loved to sing and crochet, and enjoyed other hobbies such as gardening and planting flowers. But most of all, she loved to mow the grass, which she did up until her 90th birthday.

Lena is survived by her beloved husband, Nelson A. Wells, Sr. of Oneonta; her daughters, Priscilla Rotolo of Oneonta, Linda Holtsmaster of South Gibson, PA, Sandy Morin of Oneonta, and Ginger (Paul) Butler of Palm Coast, FL; her daughter-in-law, Violet Wells of Oneonta; 11 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, and 9 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Betty Utter of Palmento, FL, Harriett Degnan of Binghamton, and Jessie (Gordon) Gage of Bloutville, TN; her brother, Lewis (Joyce) Martin of Salem, VA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her beloved son, Nelson A. “Butch” Wells, Jr.; her sisters, Eva Mabie and Loretta Shutters; and her son-in-law, Walter Holtsmaster.

A Celebration of Lena’s life will be held at Noon on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, with the Rev. Nancy Roberts and Rev. Mel Farmer officiating. Friends and family are invited to visit from 11am to Noon, during the hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Lena will be laid to rest in the Bundy Cemetery, Otego.

In lieu of flowers, Lena’s family requests that you kindly consider making a charitable donation in her memory to the River Street Baptist Church, 133 River Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.