Helen Kathleen Wells

After sharing her warmth and love for 94 years, Helen Kathleen Wells quietly slipped away on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. Helen, born on March 13, 1921, in St. Joseph, Missouri, was the third child of Laura Theresa and Charles Peter Cahill. Her father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and his job related transfers meant the family called Salina, KS., Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO and Omaha, NE home at some time during her childhood. Ultimately she graduated from St. Teresa’s High School in Kansas City and Duchesne College in Omaha.

After college graduation in 1942 Helen too began working for the Union Pacific Railroad. She was charmed by a fellow worker, Nolan Wells, who had just returned from the war. She recalled she was attracted to his curly hair and devilish personality. Helen and Nolan were married October 22, 1949. The couple settled in the Kansas City area, and Helen began her most important career, motherhood. Kathleen, Michael, Gerry and Jean are four blessed children who grew up in a loving home nurtured by one of the kindest, gentlest Mothers who rarely raised her voice – and there were many cases where it may have been warranted. Helen was a devout Catholic and had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church since 1973 when the family moved to the Houston area.

To understand Helen is to see through the quiet facade to the strong resolve and creative spirit below. She enjoyed summer trips to Colorado, working crossword puzzles and eating chocolates – really anything sweet. Mostly she enjoyed her family. She was a talented seamstress and made Christmas and Easter dresses for the granddaughters. She enjoyed making china dolls and ceramic art to send to all the families. For 20 years she made a ceramic Christmas ornament for each family member. These will be even more cherished now. For Christmas she hung Christmas stockings which she personally designed for each family member. This past Christmas, 29 stockings hung on the extended mantel, and she was making plans for two more to celebrate expected arrivals this summer.

She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Hugh Joseph and Fr. Charles Peter Cahill, S.J. and her husband of 55 years, Nolan Wells. She is survived by her four children: daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Carl Wilhite (Olathe, KS), son and daughter-in-law Michael C. and Deb Wells (Washington, D.C.), son Gerry Wells (Missouri City, TX) and daughter and son-in-law Jean and Bill Harding (Houston, TX); seven grandchildren: Brian Wilhite (Chicago, IL), Krystal Buckneberg (Overland Park, KS), Jami Wooters (Frisco, TX), Kelli Wilhite (Silver Spring, MD), Lyndsay Hustoles (Dallas, TX), Christopher Harding (Lexington Park, MD), Jonathan Harding (Houston, TX) and seven great-grandchildren: Aidan Buckneberg, Brooklyn Buckneberg, Wyatt Wooters, Matthew Wilhite Miles, Cole Wooters, Emersyn Buckneberg, and Elliot Nolan Wilhite.

Throughout her life, Helen maintained a sweet and positive demeanor which endeared her to all she met. We, her family, will remember her unconditional love and support, her creative nature and her witty sense of humor. We honor her memory by emulating her ability to always see good in others and hope in the future. In lieu of flowers, we request gifts in honor of Helen Wells be sent to either the American Heart Association at PO Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284-1125 or Holy Family Catholic Church at 1510 5th St., Missouri City TX, 77489.

Visitation will begin at 9:30am and The Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10AM Monday, the 8th of February 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1510 5th Street, Missouri City, Texas 77489. The interment is scheduled for 1PM, Wednesday the 10th of February 2016 at Houston National Cemetery located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. For additional information, please contact Earthman Funeral Directors Southwest at 12555 South Kirkwood, Stafford, TX 77477 or 281-240-3300.