Betty Louise Wells

Betty Louise (Shaffer) Wells, 86 of Rapidan, died on December 13, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 30 at Northview – North Mankato Funeral Home at 11 a.m. with a visitation an hour before. Betty’s service will be livestreamed at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Betty was born on July 1, 1939 to Raymond and Gladys (Buchanan) Shaffer in Dryden, Ontario. She immigrated to Grantsburg, WI in 1943 at age 3. She graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1957.

Betty worked as a secretary for Univac in St. Paul for 10 years. In 1961 she met Arnold “Arne” Wells and they were married in Grantsburg, WI on September 16, 1961. In 1967 Betty and Arne moved to Rapidan, MN and bought the farm where they spent their lives together. They were blessed with 2 children.

Betty enjoyed many hobbies, including photography, sewing, jewelry making, painting and genealogy. She loved to travel and write about her trips. She was a great cook and enjoyed entertaining friends and family. Above all, Betty never missed an opportunity to spend time with her children and grandchildren. Her active lifestyle allowed her to attend the various concerts and sporting events for her children, and later, her grandchildren. She and Arne never missed an event. She loved lighthouses, nativity scenes, working out at the YMCA, and Christmas time. She was very proud of her family’s many accomplishments, including the MNSU handball courts, which were recently named the Arnold and Betty Wells Handball Courts.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, and three siblings Donald Shaffer, Carol Cross, and Raymond Shaffer.

Left to cherish Betty’s memory are her husband Arne; children Mike (Karen) Wells of Good Thunder, MN, and Andrea (John) Wambold of Eagan, MN; grandchildren Grant (Rachel) Wambold, Zachary Wells, Sophia Wambold, and Lucas Wells.

The family of Betty would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at New Perspective and St. Croix Hospice for their excellent care and compassion.