Margaret Paskett Wells

Margaret Paskett Wells Oakley - Our angel mother and grandmother, Margaret Paskett Wells, 94, of Oakley, passed away quietly in the early afternoon Saturday, January 28, 2017, at her home in the Basin, east of Oakley.

In her own words “I was born in Twenty-Two, at least so I’ve been told. I don’t recall that tho, myself, ‘Cause I wasn’t very old. I remember being very loved, they were hungry for a child. I don’t think they had me in mind, but someone meek and mild. They kept me tho, and they made do, my Father and my Mother. But while they claimed to be so thrilled, they never had another! When I was six and started school they adopted Ern and Ed. I’d asked them for a puppy dog; they got the twins instead. I went to school like every kid. (I’ll tell my tale of woe.) We walked almost two miles one way, through rain, sunshine or snow. I liked school and I loved books, and play, and food, and boys. I wasn’t fond of girlish things, like having dolls for toys. So there were five and quite enough for the family we had, But Mom went out and borrowed a “kid.” I was 12 when we got Lad. The years flew by or so it seems; maybe then they weren’t so fleet. I finished school, was “all grown up.” At 18 I married Pete. Those were the years! We lived and loved, made do or did without. The babies came, Sherril, Jerry, then K. Now how’d that come about? The boys grew fast, learned how to work, there was little time for play. Those years seemed sweet as I looked back. Too bad they couldn’t stay. We all were s’prised when Rick was born, our only little girl. She ruled the roost for quite some time, Made things around there whirl. But now they’re gone – They all grew up then it was just us two. They called these years the golden ones, I hope that name is true. We’ve got each other, got our kids, now who could ask for more? But we’ve been, oh! So very blessed! We’ve grandkids by the score! So my tale ends, at least for now, they say that all things must. I only hope to wear plum out – I sure don’t want to rust!” And she certainly did just that!

For most of those 94 wonderful years, she fretted fussed and worried, nurtured, lived and loved her brood that grew so fast she couldn’t keep track of them.

After Pete’s death in 1984, Margaret opened her heart even wider when she stepped out of her comfort zone to serve a mission for the LDS Church in the Tucson Arizona Mission. She returned home to become a full-time grandma and great-grandma.

She lived alone until six years ago when she fell and broke her shoulder, then followed that a year later with a second fall that resulted in a fractured hip. The family began taking care of her, with help from a few very special earth-angels and eventually, Idaho Home Health and Hospice. The loving care given to Margaret would not have been possible without the dedication of each family member, along with the women who were hired to care for Mom each day.

Margaret is survived by her children, Sherril (Sheila) Wells, of Roseburg, Oregon; Jerry (Renee) Wells, of Oakley; George K. (Carol) Wells, of Oakley; Rickie (Scott) Spearin, of Ramah, New Mexico; 39 grandchildren; 94 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and a brother, Philip “Lad” Cummins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Thurza Hunter Paskett; her husband, Claude (Pete) Wells; a grandson, Adam Spearin; a granddaughter, Kayla Wells; and a great-grandson, Ayden Wells.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at the Oakley Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 355 N. Center Ave., with Bishop Kevin Morrison officiating. Burial will be in the Basin Cemetery at a later date.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., Burley, and from 11:45 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. prior to the service Saturday, at the church in Oakley.