[Obituary]
Norma L. Wells, 86 of Iowa City passed away peacefully, Saturday, September 26, 2015.
Graveside services will be held at 1pm Tuesday, September 29th at Memory Gardens Cemetery, followed by Memorial Services at 2 pm at Zion Lutheran Church with the Reverend Mark Pries officiating. A memorial fund has been established in her memory. Online condolences and memories may be shared with her family through the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.
Norma Lorraine Mathes was born November 18, 1928, on the family farm north of Hills, IA, the 6th child of Otho L. and Irene (McLaughlin) Mathes. She grew up attending one room schoolhouses nears Hills and Morse in rural Johnson County, graduated from University High School in 1947, then attended the University of Iowa. She married Eldwin Wilbur Wells "Ed" on August 19, 1948, at the First English Lutheran Church in Iowa City. They had four children, Linda Sue, Shirley Jean, James Eldwin, and Scott Alan. In the early years Norma did secretarial work in the College of Education and also at Economy Advertising. They had lived in Tama/Toledo, IA, Oklahoma City, OK, and Omaha, NE. In Omaha she worked as the bookkeeper at Wagner Electric Corporation where Ed was branch manager. In 1971 they moved back to Iowa City where she worked at ADS (Advanced Drainage Systems) while also helping her husband renovate houses into several apartment units. She then began her own business, Colonial Park Business Services while also doing bookkeeping for Herteen and Stocker Jewelers. She formally closed her business and retired at the age of 84. During her working years she also was known to many to do resumes, thesis, transcribing legal papers and various other writing projects. Norma was most proud of her work she did for Hualing Nieh Engle, wife of Paul Engle on his memoirs.
Norma enjoyed making many cross stitch, needlework, miniatures and quilt projects. She was active in OES (Order of Eastern Star) and the Bethlehem Shrine for more than 60 years, holding many offices in both including Worthy Matron.
She is survived by her four children, 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Bill Mathes, sisters, Mary Wilma Fountain, Jeanne Schooley, Doris Mathes and Joyce Redding.
Her family wishes to express their sincere appreciation of the many years of care provided by Dr. Craig Champion, and to the staff and administration of Briarwood Care for their loving care provided to Norma. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Norma's family and her arrangements.