Esther Louise Hargrove Wells, age 92, died peacefully in her sleep, Monday, December 7, 2020 at her home. She was born the 5th child to Roland Lynn and Carrie Eleanor Scheyli Hargrove on February 20, 1928.

She married Donald Wells June 29, 1947. He proceeded her in death, May 13, 2001.

Esther graduated from Milton High School in May 1946. She then attended Parson's College Summer Session where she earned a temporary war-time teachers' certificate. She taught the follow fall in a rural school, Chicken Ridge, near Cantril.

Esther and Donald enjoyed working together on the farm and nurturing children. In later years, Esther worked as a nurse's aide for Davis County Hospital, then the next 10 years she was employed by Van Buren County Public Health as a Home Health Aide.

She was an active member of the former Milton Grace United Methodist Church until it closed in 2016. Then she became a member of the Keosauqua United Methodist Church.

Surviving are four daughters: Diane (David) Bales of Bloomfield; Gloria Hirst Smith of Unionville, MO; Barbara Wells of Des Moines, IA; and Regina Jo Wells of Milton, IA; six grandchildren: Kristi Bales, Eric (Alica) Bales, Kari Jo (Ben) Johns, Gabriel Hirst, Zachary (Tara) Hirst, and Ryan Thornsberry (Seaira Drish); and eight great-grandchildren; Dane, Derek and McKenna Bales; Lauren and Brady Johns, Elyse, Harper, and Isla Hirst.

In death, Esther joins her husband Donald; her parents Lynn and Carrie Hargrove; brothers Harold and James; sisters Helen Manka, Ruth Shaddy Wardlow, and Martha Grim; son-in-law Stanley Smither; and granddaughter Courtney Hirst.

Due to COVID, there will be no visitation or funeral; this is not how we want it, but we just want to keep everyone safe. The family will have a private burial. Suggestions for memorials are: United Methodist Church, Keosauqua, Maple Grove Cemetery, Cantril, or Sunnyside Cemetery, Milton.