Sean Wells

Sean Wells, 34, of Glendale, Colorado and formerly of Grinnell, Iowa, died on Friday, February 7, 2025 in Glendale.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Grinnell United Church of Christ – Congregational. A reception will be held at the Grinnell College Golf Course following the service. A private family burial will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to T.T. Cranny Renovation Campaign for improvements to T.T. Cranny field, where he loved playing football with teammates under the "Friday Night Lights." Memorial checks may be mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Sean's family online at www.smithfh.com.
Sean Joseph Wells was born on April 8, 1990 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Blaine and Joann (Renaud) Wells. He came into the world cheering the win of Nick Faldo on a "Sunday at the Masters." He never stopped cheering; whether it was supporting a friend, for his Grinnell Tiger teammates, the Iowa State Cyclones, or the Tampa Bay Bucs.
He grew up on a farm near Newburg, Iowa and attended Grinnell-Newburg schools, graduating with the class of 2008. He enjoyed roaming the farm on the 4-wheeler, fishing at the pond, gardening, and helping his dad around the machine shed. He was always trying to keep up with his big brothers on the farm. He was a member of the Grinnell United Church of Christ-Congregational, enjoyed attending church camps at Pilgrim Heights, and served on several mission trips with the church and FCA. He participated in many activities during his childhood, from piano lessons, band and choir to sports; playing pee-wee golf, soccer, AAU basketball, flag football and baseball. In high school, he focused on his love of playing soccer and football for the Grinnell Tigers.
He attended Iowa State University where he took classes in business, liberal arts, philosophy, religion, history, and horticulture. He enjoyed having conversations with people about philosophy and religion. During his time at Iowa State, he worked at Reiman Gardens. He especially liked helping change out the plants each season, and carried his love of 'the farm' over to caring for plants. Saturday football days at Iowa State were marked on the calendar, and he was responsible for securing the "tailgate" space at the park. The Wells tailgate became well known and many friends and relatives would stop by for a "cheer."
Colorado was calling him and he moved to Denver in 2014, working in the landscaping, insurance, and marijuana industries. He loved Colorado - the sunshine, the mountains, hiking, and was proud to have hiked 2 of the "14rs" in the Rocky Mountains. But he especially loved speeding down the mountain on his pair of skis, making sure to wear his Cyclone stocking cap with the pom pom.
Sean also loved all kinds of music, and especially enjoyed attending concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. He enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, and hiking with friends and his dog. When working at State Farm, the adopted office dog spent the days sitting under his desk, waiting for their walk. For a period of time, he worked as a dog sitter and walker. He was often referred to as being a "dog whisperer."
Travel was of interest to him and in his short life. He enjoyed summer vacations with the family to various locations in the U.S. and ski trips to Colorado. He was able to make trips to Finland and Italy to visit his godmother and explore ancient sites. He touched the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, hiked in National Parks, and watched the total solar eclipse from a remote camp in Wyoming. He attended Iowa State Football Bowl games in Houston and Las Vegas, and a Cyclone Basketball NCAA appearance in Denver. He attended the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
He was a loyal friend to all near and far that he played with, worked with, danced with, partied with and loved. We will miss his gentle spirit, his smile and laugh, and his "how's it going" salutation. We know he is cheering us all on in his own way.
Survivors include his parents, Blaine (Lynda VanTomme) Wells and Joann (Dan) Becker; brothers, Justin (Mattia) Wells and Devin (Katy) Wells; his nieces, Lennan and Remy Wells; his godmother, Sirkka Liukko of Helsinki, Finland; his grandmother, Twyla Wells; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Don and Alice Renaud; and his paternal grandfather, Arthur Wells.