Lorraine I. Welch Obituary (1921 - 2012)

Lorraine I. Welch, age 91 of rural Menomonie, Spring Brook Township, died peacefully, Friday, August 24, 2012 at her home. Lorraine was born August 4, 1921 in Menomonie to LeRoy H. and Emma A. (Scheel) Leach. She was a graduate of Menomonie High School and soon after worked at a restaurant. On July 26, 1943 she married Raymond Welch and they moved to the farm. For the rest of her life, Lorraine had one of the hardest jobs in the world; she worked side by side with her husband on the farm; milking cows twice daily, raising and harvesting the crops, raising two children as well as all the household duties put upon her. She loved her life and cooking; and oh, what a great cook she was. Her Faith meant everything to her and she served the Lord faithfully at Forest Center Church of The Nazarene, having been on the church board, pitching in and working at anything that needed to be done. She was a "sweet lady"; kind and caring and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant everything to her. For many years, Lorraine was a member of the local "Homemakers" Club. She loved to garden and pick blackberries and from the fruits of her labor, enjoyed "canning" and sharing with others. Also, Lorraine enjoyed going out to eat with family and friends and playing bingo. She is survived by one daughter, Sharon (Ronald) Martin of rural Menomonie; five grandchildren, Anne (Simon) Welch-Dayap, Garrett (Carolyn) Welch, Wesley Welch, Rachel Plets and Kimberly Martin; five great grandchildren, Abigail, Dylan, Mallery, Rheagan, Treavor and Korbin is due in just a short while; one daughter-in-law, Paula Welch; one sister, Donna Biederman; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond (1998); one son, Larry Raymond (1987); one brother, Don Leach; and one brother-in-law, Ed Biederman. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Forest Center Church of The Nazarene rural Menomonie with Pastor Clifford Larrabee officiating. Burial will follow the service at Forest Center Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.