Mary Rose (Dwyer) Welch, 78, a resident of Wilton, Wis., went to her eternal home Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
Mary was born to Robert and Margaret (Gregor) Dwyer in Sparta, Wis., and grew up in Kendall, Wis. Mary graduated from Royall High School in the class of 1964 and attended UW-La Crosse for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. Mary married Theodore (Ted) Welch in 1968 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kendall, Wis.
Mary taught English in the Sparta School District for 33 years. When she “retired,” she began a part-time career teaching in the GED program at WTC. Notes and gifts saved over the years tell us that she made a difference in the lives of so many young people over those 48 years in education.
Until her move to Liberty Village, Mary was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. She loved to travel, whether local or otherwise. Mary prioritized family by organizing annual family gatherings and made it a point to keep us all connected. To her nieces and nephews, the word “Aunt” is too small to communicate the true impact and role she played in their lives. She attended many monumental events in their lives, including graduations, weddings, sporting and other school activities, birthday parties, and card parties, and she held sleepovers, pool parties, and camping trips. Family was important, but she also valued her friends, as she and Ted had many close friends who were family to them. However, Mary’s ultimate connection in life was with her husband, Ted. She longed to be with him again, and their reunion in the glory of heaven is celebrated by her family and friends.
Mary is survived by her brother, Pat (Rita) Dwyer; her brothers-in-law, Casey Campton, Tom (Mary) Welch, Tim (Donna) Welch; her sisters-in-law, Nancy Welch and Mary Moore; her nieces and nephews, Patricia (Jerry) Reller, Michael (Lori) Madden, Terrence (Tammy) Madden, Laureen (Mark) Winger, Joseph (Caroline) Madden, Renee Smith, Lisa Lutz, Robert (Cory) Smith, Connie (Rick) Mueller, Shelley (Matt) Weber, Ronette (Roger) Johnson, Wade (Angie) Dwyer, Beth (Tim) Jerome, Robert (Marcy) Dwyer, Cathleen Wildes, Pat Welch, Jim Welch, Tierney (Randy) Grutza, Don (Jane) Harrison, Chris (Jennifer) Welch, Tammy (Huey) Zoroufy, Tiffany (Daniel) Neely, Jennifer Moore, Lauren Moore, Cassie (Greg) Sedlacek, and Allison (Troy) Schindler; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Ted; her parents, Robert and Margaret (Gregor) Dwyer; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, James and Zora Welch; her brother, Edward Gregory Weibel; her sisters, Roberta (Joe) Madden, Colette (Norm) Smith, LeNoir (James) Weibel, Nancy (Keith) Gibney and Bonita Campton; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Pat Welch, Kathleen (Welch) Harrison, Charles (Chuck) Moore and Edward Gregory Dwyer; and her nieces and nephews, Cathleen Madden, Gregory Weibel, Lisa (Harrison) Grey, Linda Welch, and Sarah Moore.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 504 Enderby St., Wilton. Father John Ofori-Domah will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
A parish rosary will be recited at the church at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, followed by a visitation until 7 p.m.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolence can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
