Atheleen Iola Welch, 89, of Mexico, died at 5:02 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at the University of Missouri Hospital surrounded by five of her six children. She was born June 19, 1931 in Coleman, S.D., to the parents of Selmer and Carrie (Alburs) Odegard. Atheleen was a Lutheran by faith and member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. The family moved to Missouri from South Dakota in 1940. Her grandparents came to America from Germany and missed the Titanic due to illness.
Atheleen graduated from Vandalia High School and on Sept. 2, 1950, she married Elmer Ead Welch who preceded her in death June 3, 1975. Atheleen lived north of Mexico on the family farm until February 2020 where she became a resident of King’s Daughters Home.
They were blessed with six children, Kenneth (Patty Davidson), David (Martha Sue Foster), Larry (Vicki Drake), Donald (Rosemary Arnett), all of Mexico, Janet Welch of Laddonia and Nancy (Todd) Krueger of Black River Falls, Wis. 14 grandchildren: Laurey (John) Verbeek of Newton, Kan., Rebecca (Pat) Christensen of Clarksville, Mich., Timothy Welch of Big Sky, Mont., Julia Welch, Missy Feger, Jeremy Welch, Joe Welch, Cody (Jade) Welch, Nikki Welch and Austin Welch, all of Mexico, Cory Welch of Boise, Idaho, Kirsten Krueger of Madison, Wis., and Brittany Krueger of LaCrosse Wis., Jessica and Sam Shaw of North Fond du Lac, Wis.; great-grandchildren, Devin, Megan, Clayton, Drake, Gracie, Oakland, Kenzi, Andrew and Kasen Welch, all of Mexico. Erin Welch of Columbia, Kelsie and Travis Verbeek of Newton Kan., Gage and October Christensen of Clarksville, Mich., Coyt and Tenley Welch of Comstock Park, Mich.; great-great-grandchildren, Paker, Bella and Brentley Welch, all of Mexico; and seven nieces and nephews.
Atheleen was a homemaker, a farm wife and retired from the State of Missouri Judicial System having been the Magistrate Court Clerk 28 years for Audrain County. A Carter Cavaliers 4-H leader, member of the Mexico Legal Professionals, American Legion Auxiliary, Mexico TOPS club and volunteered at Audrain Medical Center in the gift shop. Her hobbies included sewing, reading, crocheting, and baking for her family and grandchildren. There was almost always a cake or cookie jar full (if they made it to the jar).
She enjoyed many trips to Wisconsin and Michigan to visit family. Atheleen and her sister traveled to the Black Hills and Washington D.C. and you can’t forget the adventures with the neighborhood coffee ladies. She went on some quilting retreats with daughters, Janet and Nancy, granddaughters, Julie and Kirsten and niece, Linda Croon of Dell Rapids, S.D. Her house was a short notice B&B with the out of state family and even RV hookup as the family grew. She bought a trailer at Lake Ozarks so the families could enjoy camping and boating for many a summer.
Atheleen sat many hours at her kitchen table looking outside, watching the bird feeders and many would walk up just to stop in to say Hi. There was always a pad of notepaper where she would write notes, lists and even drawings. Four generations of deer season as a family event starting with breakfast, soup, and desserts for the entire family. There was always a soda, snack or even a meal if timed right!
She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, Kenneth Odegard; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sylvan (Awana) Odegard and Victor (Harriett) Odegard; sister, Ardyce (Joe) Mayes; stillborn daughter; Susan Elaine; in-laws Pearl and Faye Welch; grandson, Christopher Scott Welch; and many of the Carter School neighborhood coffee club and other dear friends.
Memorials may be made to King’s Daughters Home. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.
Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26, at Arnold Funeral Home. Visitation is Saturday, Dec. 26, from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home. Masks are required and all guests are encouraged to practice social distancing.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com.
