Nelle (Burns) Welch (1955)

BURNES, CONRAD, PETERSON, WELCH

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/12/2004 at 15:47:09

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
March 1955

“It seems so strange, with so much gone, Of life and love, to still live on.”

Nelle Burns, daughter of William and Paulina Burns, was born in Redfield, Iowa November 1, 1877 and passed away at her home in Earlham, March 13, 1955, at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 12 days.

She was educated in Redfield schools. After graduation she taught in Dallas county.

On December 26, 1899 she was united in marriage with Martin Welch of Dexter. To this union were born two sons. After a short residence in Dexter the family moved to the colorful town of old Buxton, Iowa where they remained for a period of years. Much of her married life was spent in Winterset and Earlham. Since the marriage of the older son, Willard, the two families made their home together.

When she was still a young girl Mrs. Welch united with the Christian church at Redfield, later transferring her membership to the Methodist church in Earlham. For the past several years the neighborhood morning prayer meeting was one of her keener interests. She always took her part in them and often spoke of the spiritual strength they were to her. She was a charter member of the local Study and Social Club and at the time of her death was president of the Friendly Circle.

She was devoted to her family and after the little great-grandchildren came, life for her was greatly enriched. She was very good neighbor, and a loyal friend.

Her parents and two sisters, Nora Burns and Mrs. Maude Welch, preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Martin; two sons, Willard and his wife Ethel, of Earlham and John, and his wife, Lois, of Winterset; five grandchildren, Norma (Mrs. Eugene Conrad), and Sharleen, ot Earlham, Larry, Paul and Nancy of Winterset; three great grandchildren, Karen, Susan and Vicki Conrad; also one sister, Mrs. Alice Peterson of Detroit, Michigan and a niece, Pauline (Mrs. Von Allen) of Earlham.