Elaine K. Wells

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 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 Del Norte, Colorado, to Don Silas Knight and Margurite Christensen Knight, of Manassa, Colorado. She spent her childhood in Manassa and graduated from Centauri High School.

On March 17, 1972, Elaine married Victor Allen Wells in Denver, Colorado. Their marriage and eternal sealing were the crowning achievements 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 a blessing to their family and a testimony of love that endures beyond this life.

Elaine devoted herself first and foremost to her family. She considered her greatest accomplishments to be her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend. She raised her children with love, faith, sacrifice, and strength.

Later in life, Elaine pursued higher education and began a long and meaningful career in nursing. She earned her LPN license in Alamosa, Colorado, and later earned her BSN from Mesa State College in Grand Junction. She was a Registered Nurse and later earned her CCRN certification, reflecting her advanced skill and dedication in acute and critical care nursing. Elaine worked as a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital and Community Hospital in Grand Junction, and she also traveled to serve in various rural Colorado hospitals. For a time, she shared her knowledge and experience as an instructor of nursing 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 favorites were serving as organist, Young Women’s leader, Primary leader and teacher, and Relief Society President. She spent many years as the church organist for the Grand Mesa Ward, blessing others through her music and devotion.

Elaine was gifted in music, sewing, quilting, and cooking. She made incredible food that was 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 always 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. Her divine gift of forgiveness was Christlike in its depth and expression, and at times almost beyond the understanding of 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, 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, Stuart E. Wells (Lindsay Wells) of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Jodi L. Flynn (David Flynn) of Brighton, Colorado; her sisters, Anna Wheeler of Vail, Arizona, Rondaleen Specht of Peoria, Arizona, Marilyn Henson (Jerry Henson) of Toole, Utah, and Dona Forney (Greg Forney) of Oak Harbor, Washington; her brother, Brian Knight (Kathy Knight) of Manassa, Colorado; 26 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Jessica Wallet, who passed away in February 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 12:00 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, but her family takes comfort in the promises of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the knowledge that families can be together forever, and that they will again see her in the morning of the first resurrection clothed in glory with the Lord Jesus Christ.