JANET “Jan” ALICE NEILSON WELLS, born August 21, 1942

Jan Wells also known as “Sister” passed away March 17, 2016, at the age of 73. She is survived by her two daughters Janet “Jan” Wells Butler and Christine “Christy” Wells Lazerus, both of St. Louis, and their children Erin Jeanette Butler, Patrick Butler, Gregory Lazerus (Oona), Brandon Lazerus (Rikki), Mitchell Lazerus and two infant great granddaughters Olivia and Margot Lazerus.

She was the daughter of Janet Ruth Bulger and Arthur Wright Neilson, MD and had five brothers: Arthur Wright Neilson, Jr., MD (Carmen), George Dennison “Dennie” Neilson (Karen), Robert Burns Neilson (Maggie) who predeceased her, and Charles “Hugh” Neilson (Pat) and William John Neilson, both of St. Louis. She was also preceded in death by aunt Ulrica “Reka” Neilson Fisher and uncle James Buckner Fisher, Jr.; cousins Alison Fisher (Lauren) and Jamie Fisher (Debbie) reside in Colorado. Thirty-year longtime companion Denny Craig lives in Pentwater, Michigan.

Jan was active in The Wednesday Club of St. Louis’ Writing Group and assisted with archives and photography projects. She enjoyed the outdoors especially bird watching at two family homes for decades. These destinations, so close to her her heart, were Cedar Ledge a weekend retreat near Eureka, and Dunecrest a summer home in Pentwater on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. She attended Mary Institute, Clayton High School, Monticello Preparatory School and the University of Missouri. Career interests were in media and advertising.

Graveside memorial gathering at family plot, Bellefontaine Cemetery is June 11, 2016 at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at Krueger’s, where she enjoyed socializing.