Monita Dolores Wells

Monita D. Wells Monita D. (Kauzer) Wells, 97, a long-time resident of East Wenatchee passed away on January 24, 2019. Monita was born on January 29, 1921 in Ellinwood, KS, the oldest of five children growing up in Wichita, KS. Monita began playing piano at the age of 7 and continued formal instruction for over 15 years. Following high school graduation from Sacred Heart Academy, an all-girl Catholic school, she began working as an elevator operator, then as a teller at the Kansas Gas and Electric Company in downtown Wichita. Wanting a new adventure in her life, Monita enlisted into the Navy WAVES in 1944, serving at Naval Station Kingsville near Corpus Christi, TX until 1946. A few years later returning from an Alaska vacation, Monita met Charles "Chuck" Wells aboard a freighter and a shipboard romance quickly developed. Monita and Chuck were married in Wichita, KS on August 13, 1949, and spent their honeymoon driving to Snohomish, WA and their first home. In 1957, they purchased a large parcel of land in East Wenatchee where they designed and built many homes to form the Jerome Heights neighborhood. Years later, Monita enjoyed working as a bookkeeper for Northwest Wholesale and later at Gwin, White and Prince in Wenatchee. Monita's life-long passion was her piano and sharing her music with others. She formed a singing group, the Nightingales, later called the Hummingbirds, accompanying the group on the piano during singing performances at senior retirement and assisted-living facilities in the Wenatchee area for 28 years. She enjoyed playing the piano at Bonaventure of East Wenatchee the last two years of her life. Monita was also well known as an accomplished baker; baking bread, cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies each week and sharing them with friends and family. Monita and Chuck were founding members of Holy Apostles Catholic Church in East Wenatchee and she was a long-time member of the Alter Society. She enjoyed traveling all over the world and home gardening in her retirement years. Monita was very proud of her family and is survived by one son, Jerome "Jerry" (Rene') Wells of Mebane, NC, two daughters, DeAnn "DeDe" Wells (Fred Menzia) of Mountlake Terrace, WA and Margo Wells (Tim) Carter of Weaverville, NC., five grandchildren (Alicia Carter, Steven Carter, Jordan Wells, Rhesa Wells Swanson and Kevin Menzia) and four great-grandchildren (Zeke Carter, Henry Swanson, Zoe Carter and Paul Swanson). She is also survived by a sister, Patricia Lee of Boise, ID and a brother, John Kauzer of Kenosha, WI. Her Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Apostles Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. As a veteran, Monita's military graveside service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: The Charles and Monita Wells and Family Scholarship c/o Wenatchee Valley College Foundation; 1300 Fifth Street Wenatchee, WA 98801 https://www.wvc.edu/give or, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital stjude.org. Arrangements are by Chapel of the Valley, Wenatchee.

Monita Dolores Wells

January 29, 1921 - January 24, 2019