Jean Marie Wells, 85, of Genoa, Illinois, passed peacefully into eternal life on June 17, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Jean Marie Kadlubowski on April 14, 1941, to Edmund and Anna Kadlubowski in Chicago, Illinois. In February 1959, Jean met the love of her life, Richard F. Wells, at the Embassy Ballroom, where a dance sparked a love story that spanned six decades. The couple married on June 3, 1961, and built a life centered on God, family, and devotion until Richard's passing in 2021.

Jean's love for Jesus and devout faith guided her life, sustaining her through every season. She and Richard attended daily Mass, and after his passing, she continued finding strength and peace through daily Mass at St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church.

Family was Jean's greatest blessing and life's work. Together, she and Richard raised seven children while building a home filled with faith, love, hard work, and laughter. Jean had a gift for making something out of nothing and could stretch a dollar farther than anyone. Sharp as a tack and never missing a beat, she was resourceful and a faithful steward of all she had. Through careful budgeting, babysitting neighborhood children, sewing, buying and selling antiques, and other creative endeavors, she helped provide a wonderful life for her family alongside Richard, who devoted a lifelong career to Continental Can Company as a lithographer.

Strong-willed and resilient, Jean faced life's challenges with perseverance and grit, always trusting God to see her through. Matching that strength was her generous heart. She was the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back to help someone, and many times she did just that. Whether sharing what she had with others or bringing fresh garden vegetables to fellow parishioners and friends, generosity was simply who she was.

Jean and Richard made the most of their retirement years, traveling the world together on cruises and adventures that took them to Alaska, Italy, Russia, China, Ireland, and beyond. Whether line dancing, antiquing, taking day trips, spending time at their Wisconsin Dells condo, or escaping to their Cocoa Beach, Florida condo during the winter months, they simply loved being together. Some of their happiest moments were spent watching and listening to the ocean waves while sharing treasured time with visiting family.

Jean often reminded her children and grandchildren that life on earth is temporary and that our true home is with Jesus in Heaven. She believed that happiness was not in getting everything you want, but in appreciating all that you have. In her final written message to her family, she encouraged them to love God with all their hearts, love one another, forgive quickly, choose kindness, count their blessings, and cherish each day they are given.

Of all the gifts in Jean's life, none was more precious than the love she shared with her husband. Jean wrote of Richard, "He was my first true love, my best friend, my spiritual companion, my travel spouse, my golf buddy, my dancing partner, my soulmate. Marrying Dad was truly the best thing that ever happened to me." While she will be deeply missed, her family rejoices in knowing she and Richard are reunited and sharing their eternal reward in the presence of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her seven children: Joanne (Scott) Ballard, Jeanette (Kent) Strohmaier, Jeanine (Greg) Yoder, Richard E. Wells, Ronald (Amy) Wells, Julianne (Brian) Long, and Ryan (Lisa) Wells.

Fifteen grandchildren: Jericca (Jonathon) Held, Janessa (Dale) Swetman, Jeanna Ballard (Maurits Bentum), Jeanelle (Brian) Iben, Lauren (Adam) Fuehne, Andrea (Ezekiel) Gueths, Grant Yoder, Jeremy (Kelsie) Yoder, Riley Wells, Ava Wells, Jocelyn Long, Brenton Long, Ryan Wells, Ashley Wells, and Randall Wells.

Eight great-grandchildren: Whitley and Weller Iben; Jeanlyn, Jolie, and Julianna Held; Jensen, Jacob, and Joey Swetman.

She is also survived by her beloved sister, Elaine (John) Amico, and many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard F. Wells; her parents, Edmund and Anna Kadlubowski; her brother, Ronald Kadlubowski; and her sister, Paula Magerl.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Genoa Roman Catholic Church, 340 South Stott Street, Genoa, Illinois, with Rev. Donald Ahles officiating. Burial will immediately follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church.

Arrangements by the Slater-Butala Funeral Home of Genoa. To sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com

As Jean would remind us, this is not goodbye, but until we meet again.

And as she so often said:

Love You More.