Peggy Joyce Wells-Steinmetz was born to Robert and Pearl Smith on Nov. 21, 1931 at their home in Troy Township, River Falls, Wis. She was welcomed by her sister, Vi, and brother, Bob. Being the youngest she was both loved and teased. She was affectionately referred to as “Turd” because they thought she was a cute little turd, always on the move.
Her early years were carefree and full of adventure on the farm. Many days were spent with her “Auntie Mama” as she called her Aunt Lola who lived down the road. From the beginning Peg embraced learning and her creativity was evident. She loved crafting and learned skills like knitting and crocheting at an early age.
Peggy’s formal education began at Glover Station School and as she would tell you, “She didn’t do very well.” Peg was always very social and her poor performance was probably due to being the only one in her class. It wasn’t long, however, that her long-time friend joined her and by grade 2 her study habits and performance began to improve. Education has always been important to Peg which led to receiving a degree in Education from Wisconsin State College at River Falls in 1953. Later earning her Master’s Degree in 1972 from UW-RF. Upon graduation, Peg jumped right into action and began her career teaching at the Ames Lab School for two years. She then moved to Greenwood Elementary School and taught first grade for 14 years. This opened the door to seven years as the District Reading Coordinator and 13 years as the Greenwood Elementary Principal. After she retired, she supervised student teachers for the University of Wisconsin at River Falls for seven more years.
As many of you might already know, Peg’s life was full of awards and accolades. She was the first female principal in River Falls as well as being the first female elected to the River Falls Golf Club Board of Directors. She also served as President of the Northwestern Wisconsin Educators Association and was well respected by her peers. But the thing she loved most was being recognized for her love of children-always doing what was best for them. Every family member sitting here will attest to this fact… when we mention we are related to Peg, someone will always say that she was their favorite teacher.
Education was important to Peg, but her family was where she found her joy completely fulfilled. Upon graduating from college in 1953, Peg married the love of her life, Bill Wells. To make things even more exciting, in one week, she had married Bill, got her teaching degree and became mother to 4-year-old, David. She obviously did a great job with motherhood because one day David affirmed, “Piggy, you make great ketchup.” Then one day David went to school and announced for show and tell that the carpenters came and his mom was pregnant. A few months later Tim was born. The family was thrilled and stretched in ways that only adding another child could do. But like every other task before, Peg approached these new challenges with joy and energy, filling every moment with memorable experiences. With two children now, days were busy and rewarding but times were hard. Tim recalls his dad fretting one day while paying the bills and he heard him say “Damn, where’d the money go?” Without skipping a beat, Tim defensively responded, “Mom didn’t take it, she’s asleep on the couch!” Money or no money, the family created memories and life went on. Then, tragedy struck and Bill passed away at the age of 43 from cancer, leaving the family heartbroken. Yet again, life continues and Peg fills the void. She loved playing bridge, golf, and crafting, but most of all enjoyed socializing. Her friendships were filled with good clean fun. And fun she had. She would organize their events and late into her retirement she gathered her fellow retired educators to get away at the lake. Speaking of the lake, this also was a favorite spot for Peg. Laughter, silly games and songs, celebrations and family get togethers were a huge part of her life. When Peg was in charge there was never a dull moment.
She was also involved with her PEO group as well as a church crafting group which she headed. Her philanthropic affiliations included the Marshfield (Wisconsin) Cancer Research Clinic.
On June 7, 1975 she married again to Vern Steinmetz, and her family grew overnight but even till her last days, her devotion was always to her boys, David and Tim and their families.
Peg was a devoted mother, wonderful mother-in-law, and beloved grandmother and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren recall singing songs with her and doing many crafts like paper plate Easter bunnies and food projects such as Rudolph Sandwiches and Apple Smiles. They remember fun times at the cabin, riding in her red convertible with the top down in Arizona, Halloween games while trick-or-treating, piles of Christmas gifts, her dressing up as Miss Frizzle, playing the Farkle Dice game (with Grandma’s rules) and so many more memories. They treasure the individual photo albums and scrapbooks she made for each of her 12 grandchildren.
Peg lived in River Falls her whole life, mostly across the street from where she worked. Her grandchildren have fond memories of the house on Eighth Street and will never forget the hot tub and all the celebrations experienced there. She moved to Golf View for a time, wintering in Arizona and finally landed at Wellhaven/Bay Harbor of River Falls where she spent several years until moving to her heavenly home on April 21, 2025.
To sum up Peg’s life, I’m sure we could all say that Peg was the most generous, carefree, authentic person we all knew. Peg was Peg and never let what people thought of her dictate her behavior. She was so much fun and our minds can barely contain all the memories she created. Her quips and quotes are spoken often and her costumes will forever be etched in our hearts. The joy she spread to everyone is like dandelion puffs blowing in the wind. Finally, Peg, we turn to you now to say THANK YOU. We are who we are because you have touched our lives in a way no one else could. We will forever love you and are so grateful for a life well lived.
Peg is survived by son David (Sherri) Wells and son Tim (Wanda) Wells; grandchildren Joshua (Ashley) Wells, Lindsey (Nando) Herrera, Tessa (Nelson) Leacraft, Samuel (Rachel) Wells and Valerie (Zach) Mohr; sister-in-law Kay Smith and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Peg is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Pearl Smith, husband Bill Wells, brother Robert J. Smith, sister Violet Ebers, mother-in-law Betty Wells, sister-in-law Margaret Michaelson-Dibble, brothers-in-law Fred Wells and Richard Wells and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties, River Falls Cancer Center, River Falls Food Pantry or the River Falls Our Neighbors Place Backpack Program. We would also like to plant a tree in Peg’s honor at Wells Park in River Falls.
A Celebration of Peggy’s Life will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church (110 N. Third St. River Falls, WI.) Visitation will also be on Friday from 9-11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
