David W. Wells

Funeral Services for David W. Wells, 67, Norfolk, will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk.  Reverend Jackie Perry will officiate.  Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Home for Funerals in Norfolk.

David passed away Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the Premier Estates of Pierce in Pierce.

David Wayne Wells was born December 6, 1950, in Norfolk, Nebraska, the son of Wayne Wells and Jean (Rakowski) Wells.  He was baptized on June 28, 1964, at United Methodist Church.  David was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.  He graduated from Norfolk Senior High in 1969.  David then graduated from Northeast Community College in 1971 before continuing his education at Wayne State College.

On September 11, 1982, David married Lynette Barbe at the New England Congregational Church in Stanton.  To this union were born three sons, Ryan, Tyler and Cody.

During his high school and college years he was an employee of his grandfather’s Wells Dental Laboratory from 1967 to 1972.  He then became an innkeeper and night auditor for Best Western Villa Inn from 1972 to 1979.  David started working for Allied Tour & Travel in 1979 as a salesperson and tour planner until June of 1985.  His passion for planning and escorting tours led him and his wife to open and operate Friendly Tours Travel Agency in July of 1985 until health issues ceased operation in February of 2001.

In 1970, he founded and directed the Nationwide Championship Cornhusker Trapshoot before retiring in 1987.  His 18 years of dedication to the tournament made its mark on the future of trapshooting.  The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continues the tradition on which the Cornhusker was established.  David received the “Norfolk Oscar” in 1980 from the Chamber of Commerce for his significant contributions to the City of Norfolk.  Past-president and honorary member of the Norfolk Antique Auto Club.  Past-president of the Convention Bureau.  Founder and co-chairman of Norfolk’s annual LA VITSEF TIME Fall Festival.  Past-president of United Methodist Church Men’s Breakfast Club.  Past-president and member of Norfolk Noon Rotary, becoming a Rotary “Paul Harris Fellow” in 1984.  Past member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite and past-president of the Northeast Nebraska Sesostris Shrine Club.  David served as a member of the Norfolk Public School Board of Education before resigning in 2001.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lynette of Norfolk; sons Ryan of Lincoln; Tyler of Sioux City, IA and Cody of Wayne; half-sister Kathy Edmonds of Virginia; brother-in-law Robert (Renee) Barbe; nephew William “Bill” Barbe; niece Andrea Barbe all from Omaha; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

David was preceded in death by his parents.  

Pallbearers are his sons Ryan, Tyler and Cody, William “Bill” Barbe, Bill “Willie” Nelson, Jerry Brudigan and Rick Benson.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

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