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John Welsch, 77, of Fontanelle, died Friday, May 31, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 6, at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield. Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery with full military graveside rites conducted by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265, V.F.W. Post No. 5357 and the Army Military Funeral Honors. Father Phillip Bempong will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to the John Welsch Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.
John David Welsch was born Oct. 15, 1946, the son of Raymond Jacob and Margaret Kathryn (Kordick) Welsch in Creston. John attended Country School Summerset #8 and then Fontanelle High School where he graduated from in 1964. After graduation he starting farming with his dad. On April 12, 1966, John entered into the Army Reserve basic training and served until his honorable discharge in 1971.
On Aug. 30, 1969, John was united in marriage to Kathie Lea Ferguson at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield. After the wedding they moved to the family farm south of Fontanelle, where John was raised, making them the fifth generation to live and farm there. From this union two children were born, Angela Kay and Kevin Michael.
He loved the life of farming and raised pigs for 40 years. You could usually find him in his recliner after lunch to settle in to take his daily nap and watch the Bold and the Beautiful. He thoroughly enjoyed watching his children and his grandchildren compete in sporting events and camping at the Iowa State Fair and various state parks. He made a lot of lifelong friends and memories while country dancing on the weekends. July 2023 he enjoyed a family vacation to South Dakota. John was a devoted member of St. John’s Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gary and Richard Welsch; sisters-in-law, Joan and Mary Welsch and Dolores Ferguson and brothers-in-law, Ron, Bill and Bob Ferguson.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathie; his daughter, Angela (Bill) Hosfelt of Greenfield; his son, Kevin Welsch of Winterset; grandchildren: Nicholas and Shawna Williams, Callie Welsch, Mariah Taylor, Alicia Hosfelt and Keagan and Steph Hosfelt; great-grandchildren: Lucille and Henry Hosfelt; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.