Dennis Michael Wells

Dennis Michael Wells "Wicanhpi Wiyakpa (Bright Star)", 63 of the Mdewakanton - Dakota Tribe of Prairie Island and the Saginaw - Chippewa Tribe of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, died on November 7, 2012, at the Mayo Health Systems - Red Wing Hospital. He was born March 27, 1949 to Leo and Beatrice (Shawano) Wells in Red Wing. He grew up and attended grade school in Prairie Island. He went to South High School in Minneapolis. He joined the United States Army and served with the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles". On February 4, 1973, he married Deborah Bixler in Dillon, South Carolina. After serving in Vietnam he was honorably discharged on August 23, 1974. He then worked a series of odd jobs and attended Dunwoody Institute where he learned the trade of Pipe Fitting. Deborah died on May 9, 2000. He then married Carlene Falkowski on October 12, 2002 in Prairie Island. He was a member of the Red Feather Society, past Department Commander of M.O.P.H., a Purple Heart recipient, Board Member of the National Eagles Center, he was a past Post Department Commander of Post # 246, Tribal Representative for I.T.B.C., coordinator for all the veterans Program for the Prairie Island community, and a Men's Traditional Dancer. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, and traveling.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Carlene Wells; four children, Tammy (Rickey Garcia) Wells-Garcia, Herb (Miriam) Wells, Benjamin (Verlin) Wells, Sabrina Pavin; numerous grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four siblings, Richard Wells, Buddy (Sharon) Wells, Lylis (Loren) Siegel, Doreen Hagen; extended family and many, many friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his first wife, Deborah Kay Wells; parents, Leo and Beatrice Wells; one brother, Jody Wells; and two sisters, Denise and Janice Wells.

Funeral will be 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at the Treasure Island Marina. Visitation will start at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, November 11, until the time of the service. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

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Visitation

NOV 11. 11:00 AM (CST)

Treasure Island Marina
Prairie Island Reservation
Welch, MN

Service

NOV 13. 9:00 AM (CST)

Treasure Island Marina
Prairie Island Reservation
Welch, MN