Hobart Wells

Wells, Hobart “Hobie” MADISON– Hobart Louis Wells, age 92, passed peacefully with family at his side on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Hobie was born on Feb. 18, 1922, in Livingston, Wis., to Roscoe and Winifred Wells. He was the youngest of four children. His family moved to Madison where he spent most of his life. A natural born athlete, he enjoyed swimming in the Madison lakes; playing football, basketball, wrestling and boxing for Madison East High School and playing softball and basketball in city leagues. In his forties he took up the game of golf, which he enjoyed for the next 48 years. In 1936, Hobie met the love of his life when they were both students at East High School. They married June 21, 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radioman aboard the USS Nantahala. Hobie and Doris shared a wonderful life together that included family, friends, and work. His jobs included delivering milk to households for Borden’s Dairy, additional part-time jobs at Olson & Veerhusen Clothing and C.C. Collins & Sons Lumber and for seventeen years as an appraiser for the City of Madison. After retirement he and Doris had adventuresome years, from 1983 to 1999, in Sun City, Ariz., where most days found him on the golf course playing 18 or 36 holes in spite of the heat. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, reading about sports and listening to music. Hobie valued honesty and hard work. He loved his family, had a tender heart, generous spirit, sense of humor and always demonstrated his love for family giving us endless cherished memories. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; son, Michael Keith; son-in-law, Jeffrey Erickson; his brother, Dwight Keith; and sisters, Joyce and Patricia. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Erickson of Knoxville, Tenn., and Janet Wells (Burr Fraser) of Middleton. He is further survived by grandchildren, Bill (Gina) Cleminson, Ben Webster, Alison Erickson Anderson, Andrew (Meredith) Erickson, Trevor (Jiyoun) Fraser, Angela Fraser, Terry (Sara) Fraser, DeVonn Fraser, Mandy Fraser; and great-grandchildren, Caleb, Cody, Claire, Mary Wells, Charlie, Ayda and Smith; and nephews, Tom and Jerry Kovacs who have all showered him with love and fun! He is also survived by other nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at noon, on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. His family is grateful for the home, care and support he was given by the people at Waunakee Manor over the past 16 months. And we are appreciative of the excellent health care he was given by Dean Clinic and St. Mary’s Hospital staff. In lieu of flowers, his family wishes that memorial contributions be made to Madison School & Community Recreation, 3802 Regent Street, Madison, WI, 53705, or a charity of your choosing. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420