Marilyn J. (Hanks) Wells

Marilyn Jeanette Hanks Wells of Le Sueur, passed away at the age of 98 on September 21st at Oak Terrace Senior Living in Le Sueur.  Marilyn was predeceased by her husband Wayne Wells and is survived by her 3 children, Brian Wells (late wife Sally), Mark Wells and his wife Cheryl and Eileen Wells (late husband Rick Pautz).  She also leaves 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Marilyn is also survived by her brother, John Hanks as well as several nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was born on May 31, 1926 in Faribault County, near Winnebago, MN. She was the third of six children born to parents Howard and Ethel (Buck) Hanks.

She earned her teaching degree prior to her marriage to Wayne Wells in 1947 and went on later to earn Masters and Specialists degrees in education.  After their marriage on July 12, 1947, Marilyn and Wayne lived in Le Roy, MN and Mankato before settling in Le Sueur in 1973. Marilyn continued teaching in the Mankato school system for several more years before retiring in 1989.  As their retirement project, Marilyn and Wayne decided to purchase and restore the Cosgrove House in Le Sueur and operate it as a Bed & Breakfast, offering an additional lodging option for the City of Le Sueur.  They bought the house in 1997 and began the major renovation.  Wayne passed away in 2001 before completion of the house, but Marilyn persevered and opened the house to guests in 2004. She continued welcoming them through 2022.

In addition to her husband Wayne, Marilyn was predeceased by her parents Howard and Ethel Hanks, and siblings, Fred Hanks, Bruce Hanks, Alice (Lorraine) Westfall and Hildreth Wilson.

Funeral service will be held at the Zion United Church of Christ, 240 Elmwood Ave, Le Sueur on Saturday, October 19th at 11 AM. Visitation will take place on Friday, October 18th from 4 to 7 PM, and continuing at 9 AM Saturday prior to the service, also at the Zion United Church of Christ.