Olivia Wells Obituary (2013)

Olivia Wells was born at home in Woodward County, Oklahoma to George and Lydia (Fehrer) Stricker. She was the second of six children, three boys and three girls, and the oldest daughter. Her parents were Germans from Russia and German was spoken at home. She started first grade knowing only a few phases of English. The school she attended was in the small town of Fargo, 14 miles west of Woodward, where she graduated from High School. Being raised in a rural setting she got to play with chickens and ride horses as a young girl. She also learned cooking, sewing, and other domestic skills, which she perfected throughout her lifetime. Although an excellent student, she only got to attend one semester of college, at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, as that was all her family could afford. Despite the lack of a college degree she obtained her teaching certificate and taught a fifth and sixth grade class in her young adult years. It was while teaching that she met Harold Wells, who quickly developed an interest in Olivia, whose father he was currently doing some farm work for. Their courtship was greatly encouraged by Olivia's family and especially her father, George, who recognized exceptionally fine qualities in Harold. It was the 1947 Woodward Tornado that killed 185 and injured over 1000 that spurred them to a justice of the peace marriage within the month after it hit. Harold's leg was crushed and in the weeks following the disaster amputation was advised; but Harold would not hear of it and he escaped on crutches from the hospital where he had been transported to and took the train back to Woodward. Olivia cared for him while he recovered at her family's home. When the couple had their own home and Olivia's father died, they took Olivia's mother into their home to live with them throughout her mother's lifetime. A baby boy, Ryan, came along five years after their marriage. Having her mother living with them to help in household tasks and care of Ryan allowed Olivia to work as a professional woman outside of the home. She relished her role of mother, though, and would do anything for her son. Olivia was very accomplished and talented. She could do anything. She was always working on a project or organizing something and she worked to build up and inspire others. She worked in a full-time job as Deputy County Superintendent while she managed apartment rentals on the side and helped Harold work a ranch of 1400 acres. She did sewing, tailoring, and quilting which won her prizes at the fair each year. She was the driving force at the small Woodward Seventh-day Adventist Church where she held about every office available to women at that time. She was active in county extension and sewing clubs and was always involved in some project or another in the community. After retirement, Olivia and Harold, spent summers at their log home in southwest Colorado and then winters in South Texas where they owned a trailer home. During this time Olivia had a professional drapery making business and also took up oil painting. They then lived for several years in Siloam Springs, Arkansas where Olivia's brothers, George, Ralph and Harold all lived. Her three brothers have all preceded her in death as well as her sister, Orlene. Olivia and Harold relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska to be close to Ryan and daughter-in-law Rebecca and three grandchildren in 1995. Harold, twelve years older than Olivia passed away in 2003 and Olivia never quite recovered from that loss. She lived in assisted living in Hastings from 2009 until March of this year when she moved to Gramercy Hill Assisted Living in Lincoln. She has suffered from Alzheimer's in recent years but has continued to make friends everywhere and was known for her wit and humor. She brought a smile to everyone and was a joy to be around. Olivia is irreplaceable and will be missed by many. Olivia is survived by her sister Georgia Dale of Three Oaks, MI; son and daughter-in-law Ryan & Rebecca Wells of Lincoln; grandchildren Sheila Wells of Hastings, Lisa Wells, and Johnny Wells of Omaha; sister-in-laws Elenora Stricker, Ruth Stricker and Mary Margaret Stricker of Siloam Springs, AR, and many nieces and nephews. Olivia was a life-long Seventh-day Adventist and although unable to attend church in recent years she remained a member of College View Seventh-day Adventist Church until her death.