Welch, Ralph H. (1927-2011)
WELCH, YOUNG, BLESSING, BISHOP, KITZMAN, HARVEY
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/8/2012 at 15:05:14
Ralph H. Welch
July 31, 1927 - December 30, 2011Storm Lake, Iowa
Ralph H. Welch, age 84, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died December 29, 2011, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Ralph was born on July 31, 1927, in Eldora, Iowa. He was raised in the Marshalltown area and later graduated from Laurel High School.
Following high school graduation, Ralph enlisted in the United States Army in 1944, proudly serving his country until he was honorably discharged.
Upon his return, Ralph attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and then continued his education at the University of Iowa where he earned his Master’s Degree in School Administration.
On June 2, 1951, Ralph married Helen Young in Geneva, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Todd, Chad, and Ann.
After teaching for a few years, Ralph went into sales with J.S. Latta’s selling school supplies. After fifteen years in that business, he returned to his love for education, teaching sixth grade at Storm Lake. He also served as the Elementary and Junior High Principal for twenty years. He promoted the “Middle School Concept of Teaching.” After retiring from his public school service, he worked as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Buena Vista University.
Ralph played a very active role in community organizations. A member of the HyNoon Kiwanis and a Charter Member of Lake Creek as well as of Faith, Hope and Charity, he served on the Storm Lake Library Board and on Berkley Bidell’s Academy Selection Committee as well as a commodore for the Star Spangled Spectacular. In addition, Ralph was a delegate to the Republican State Convention in Des Moines, Iowa.
In his spare time, Ralph enjoyed golfing and collecting antiques. He loved socializing with his many friends. He treasured his family and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Helen Welch, of Storm Lake; his children: Todd (Lori) Welch, of Erie, Colorado, Chad Welch, of Longmont, Colorado, and Ann (Scott) Blessing, of Longmont, Colorado; four grandchildren: Shay (Erin) Blessing, Troy (fiancée, Audrey) Blessing, Kelsey Blessing, and Julia Bishop; and his sister, Betty Kitzman, of Mesa, Arizona; as well as nieces and nephews; extended family and many friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his birth mother, Mildred Welch, and his adoptive parents, Walt and Marieah Harvey.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
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Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home
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