Gordon W. Wells, 88

Gordon W. Wells, 88, born Sept. 20, 1927, in Ekalaka, Mont., and passed over on Feb. 8, 2016.

During the Great Depression his family moved to eastern Canada and worked on a farm until he reached age 18 around 1946 at which time they moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Soon after he moved to Coeur d’Alene, Gordon a.k.a. “Rusty,” joined the U.S. Coast Guard spending most of his enlistment in Juneau, Alaska, where he and his wife Janette became the proud parents of four lovely daughters; Lois, Sandra, Joan and Kathleen.

Upon discharge in 1951, Rusty moved to California and began a career in the Aircraft and Aerospace industries as a plaster mold maker. Rusty met and married Marilyn in California in 1963 and later adopted her two children, Allen and Clawren.

In 1974, Rusty and family returned to Coeur d’Alene to be near his parents, Ezekiel and Beatrice and brother Darrell.

Rusty and Marilyn met up with and joined “The Old Time Fiddlers” in 1988 and Rusty soon became Chairman and later became president of the North Idaho Chapter; topping more than 30 years of a professional music career.

Rusty is survived by his six children and countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Rusty’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.