Elaine K. Wells, of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away at her home on June 23, 2026, at 5:30 a.m., at the age of 74. She passed away surrounded by her loving husband, children, and siblings. She was and is greatly loved by her family and friends.
Elaine was born on November 14, 1951, in Alamosa, Colorado, to Don Silas Knight and Marguerite Christensen Knight of Manassa, Colorado. She spent her childhood in Manassa and graduated from Centauri High School.
On March 17, 1973, Elaine married Victor Allen Wells in Denver, Colorado. Their marriage and eternal sealing were the crowning blessings of her life and were solemnized in the Manti, Utah Temple. She loved Victor deeply, and he loyally supported her through all of her endeavors. Their devotion to one another was another blessing to their family and a testimony of love that endures beyond this life.
Elaine devoted herself first to her family. She cherished her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She raised her children with love, faith, sacrifice, and strength.
Once her children were in school, Elaine pursued higher education and began a long and meaningful career in nursing. She earned her LPN license in Alamosa, Colorado, and later her BSN from Mesa State College in Grand Junction. She became a registered nurse (RN) and went on to earn her CCRN certification, reflecting her advanced skills and expertise in acute and critical care nursing. Elaine worked at St. Mary’s Hospital and Community Hospital in Grand Junction and also traveled to serve in various rural Colorado hospitals. For a time, she shared her knowledge and experience as a nursing instructor at Mesa State College.
Elaine was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. Among her favorite callings were Music Leader, Relief Society President, Young Women’s President, Primary Leader, and Boy Scout Leader. She spent many of her later years as the Church Organist for the Grand Mesa Ward, blessing others through her love of music and devotion.
Elaine was gifted in music, sewing, quilting, and cooking. She prepared delicious meals that were appreciated by all who gathered at her table. She sewed clothing for her children as they were growing up and made many blankets and quilts for siblings, children, cousins, friends, nieces, and nephews. Her hands were always busy in service, and her heart was always turned toward others. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose presence brought her great joy.
Elaine possessed many spiritual gifts, including loving kindness, forgiveness, courage, loyalty, caregiving, empathy, charity, and faith. She had a strong testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and shared that testimony through both word and deed. Her life was a beautiful example of Christlike love, and her divine gift of forgiveness blessed those who witnessed it.
Elaine is survived by her devoted husband, Victor Allen Wells of Grand Junction, Colorado; her children, Victor A. Wells Jr. (Pam Wells) of Brighton, Colorado, Russell S. Wells of Pueblo, Colorado, Jason E. Wells of Avondale, Colorado, Jodi L. Flynn (David Flynn) of Brighton, Colorado, Jeffrey A. Wells (Jill Wells) of Windsor, Colorado, Patrick A. Wells (Louisa Wells) of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Spencer A. Wells (Jinil Wells) of Woodland Hills, Utah, and Stuart E. Wells (Lindsay Wells) of Grand Junction, Colorado. She is also survived by her sisters, Anna Wheeler of Vail, Arizona, Rondaleen Specht of Peoria, Arizona, Marilyn Henson (Jerry Henson) of Tooele, Utah, and Dona Forney (Greg Forney) of Oak Harbor, Washington, as well as her brother, Brian Knight (Kathy Knight) of Manassa, Colorado. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Jessica Wallet, and son-in-law, Calvin Wallet, who passed away together on February 16, 2023.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3076 E 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado. Funeral services will follow from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A graveside service will then be held at Palisade Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest of Western Colorado.
Elaine will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family takes comfort in the promises of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the knowledge that families can be together forever, and in the hope of seeing her again in the morning of the first resurrection. They look forward to that day, when she will be clothed in glory with the Lord Jesus Christ.
