Wilbert J. Gaines, age 92, of Wells, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at the Parkview Care Center in Wells.

Memorila services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells with the Rev. Eugene Stenzel officiating. Visitation will be held at St. Casimir Catholic Church one hour prior to the service on Thursday with a rosary at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be in St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Wells with military honors by the Wells Color Guard. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Wilbert was born on Jan. 23, 1913, in rural Wells, the son of Charles F. and Minnie (Berger) Gaines. He married Loretta T. Tennis on January 8, 1944, in Minneapolis.

Wilbert served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He worked over 30 years for Peoples Natural Gas, retiring in 1975. He was a member of the St. Casimir Catholic Church. Wilbert was a member of the DAV and 60 year member of the Wells American Legion. He enjoyed playing his accordion and dancing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Loretta, in 2004; two brothers: August and Charles Gaines Jr.; and four sisters: Laura (Mrs. Rudy Schweitzer), Violet (Mrs. Elvin Sorenson), Mabel (Mrs. John Langenfeld), and Fern (Mrs. Roman Dylla).

Survivors include one son, Ron and wife Pat Gaines of Wells; one brother, Alvin Gaines and special friend Viola Rynearson of Albert Lea; two sisters: Elsie White of Winnebago, and Phyllis Latusek of Minnesota Lake; and numerous nieces and nephews.