Linda, beloved daughter of Bertha and Urban W. Kruer, was born in New Albany, Indiana on January 3, 1941, and grew up on a farm in Floyds Knobs, IN with her family, as one of six children. Linda graduated from Our Lady of Providence High School in 1959. After graduating, Linda worked as a bank teller in New Albany, IN, and later married her former husband, Stephen C. Wells on April 24, 1965. They were blessed with three children, Kristina, Matthew, and Phillip (P.J.). In 1971, the family moved to Lakewood, OH, and later Rocky River, OH in June 1976.
In addition to her devotion to her children and family, Linda was extremely creative as a watercolorist, seamstress, and most notably, Puppeteer. Her journey with puppeteering began in the early 1970’s when her daughter and her friend, Nancy Sander’s children began performing puppet shows at area schools, festivals and other local events. When the children dropped out, the ladies continued. They built their stage, made the puppets, wrote and choregraphed the shows and performed them live as The Joy Puppeteers. In 1985 Linda also joined Nancy as a puppeteer for award-winning Hickory Hideout, a children’s show on WKYC-TV Channel 3. Linda would tell her children she had the best job ever, more fun than you could imagine and she could still be home to cook supper by 5 p.m. Hickory Hideout innovatively used live actors and puppets and every show had a good message. Linda’s puppet was “Shirley Squirrely”, the sweet and responsible sister of Nutso Squirrely. The show won six local Emmy Awards, multiple educational awards and went National. Episodes can now be viewed on YouTube. Following Hickory Hideout, Linda continued her career as Linda A. Wells Puppets until she retired.
As much as Linda loved performing, she loved her children more. She was fierce in her support and care for her children and grandchildren through good times and bad. She endured many difficulties and challenges throughout her lifetime but stayed firm and strong in her faith and courage. Sadly, she lost her battle to cancer on January 1st, but remains an example for her family and friends of what true love really means.
Linda was the loving mother of Kristina (Brian) Mog, Matthew Wells, Phillip (P.J.) Wells (deceased); cherished grandmother of Lacy Valenti, Zachary (Katelyn) Mog, and J.T. Mog; great grandmother to Miles and Sloane Mog. Adored sister to Alma Graf, Rita Ward, Vivian Constantine, Urban Kruer (deceased) and Anthony Kruer and beloved Aunt and friend to many. Former wife to Stephen C. Wells (deceased). She will be dearly missed.
A memorial visitation for Linda will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home, 20820 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126, with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Linda’s name may be made to HMC Hospice of Medina County at 5075 Windfall Road, Medina, OH 44256 or www.hospiceofmedina.org.
