Margie Wells was born in Coos County, Ore. in 1924 to parents Ruby Della Newman and Norman Coon. She had two brothers, Wally and Jim, both deceased.
She lived most of her youth with Clarence and Mary Baumgartner, who adopted her (unofficially) and raised her as their own. They lived in Bandon until the great fire of 1936 that decimated the town. Like many residents, they narrowly escaped the disaster by boat. After the fire, they moved to Coquille, Ore. and Margie graduated from high school there.
At age 19, Margie met her husband, Karl Wells, while working in the kitchen of a nearby logging camp. Karl was a logger at the time and ended up working in the timber industry his entire life. They married in 1944 and Karl left to serve in World War II shortly thereafter, fighting in the Pacific on the island of Peleliu, among other places. Their first child was born in 1945, followed closely by three more: Connie (Bugbee), Terri (Harper), Steven and Lynn.
The family moved from Port Orford to Creswell in 1960, where the three oldest kids subsequently put down roots and started their own families. Karl and Margie moved to Idaho and then Montana, where they lived for many years. Lynn was killed in an automobile accident at age 26 after serving in the United States Army. Steven died from a brain tumor at age 51.
During their retirement years, Karl and Margie settled in Spray, a town of less than 200 residents (at the time) in central Oregon along the John Day River. Karl died there in 2008. Margie then moved back to Creswell to live with her daughter, Terri, and her family. Margie remained there until her death. Margie loved reading, listening to music, watching University of Oregon football games, and visiting with the many people she met in Creswell.
As devout Christians, Karl and Margie attended church in every town where they lived over the years. Margie particularly enjoyed the fellowship of the congregation in Spray, as the church was walking distance from their home. Margie never drove a car, so she enjoyed being able to meet her friends nearby.
Margie is survived by her two daughters, 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held on Aug. 6 at the Hillside Church in Creswell. Margie was buried Aug. 9 at the Creswell Cemetery.
