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Funeral services will take place on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church
Piedmont, South Dakota

Mt. View Cemetery
Rapid City, South Dakota
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.



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In memory of

Wesley Welsh

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Thursday, November 26, 2015 at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of 84

Wesley Carrol Welsh, 84, Wall, passed away on November 26, 2015, at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He was surrounded by his girls and the overwhelming love they had for him.

Wesley Carrol Welsh was born on December 4, 1930, to Harold and Mary (McDonald) Welsh in Wall, SD. He graduated from Wall High School in 1949 and then from Chillicothe Business College, Chillicothe, MO.

As a young man he worked in private business for several years. In 1956, he married Beverly Wheeler and they moved to Wall to become partners with his father in owning and operating the Welsh Motels. He was active in the motel business for 58 years and worked the day before going into the hospital.

Wes was an active member of his community, serving on the Wall Ambulance for over 20 years, the Wall Volunteer Fire Department, the St. Patrick Catholic Church parish council as well as being involved in other numerous community development projects.

Most important to Wes was his family. A hospital nurse asked what he did for a living and he replied with pride, “I raised 4 daughters.” He never missed one of their music concerts, plays or athletic events while they were growing up and loved when they came home to Wall to dote on him and play cards with him.

Wes is survived by four daughters and a son-in-law who are grateful for sharing in his love, life, and wisdom: Dawn and Glenn Cole of Point Lay, AK; Tracy of Brookings; Kelly of Wall, and Kari of Anchorage, AK; a dear brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Gary and Patty Welsh, Rapid City; a sister, Laura Jean Gunn, Wasta; a sister-in-law, Evonne of Dixon, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mary of Wall; two brothers, baby Welsh of Wall and Gail of Spearfish, and a brother-in-law, George “Junior” Gunn of Wasta.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 2 at Our Lady of the Black Hills, Piedmont, with a Christian wake service at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 3 at Our Lady of the Black Hills with Inurnment at Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, at 1:30 p.m.


Open the Memorial Folder

VIGIL SERVICE
Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - 7:00 p.m.
Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church
Piedmont, South Dakota

OFFICIANT
Deacon John Osnes

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 11:00 a.m.
Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church
Piedmont, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Steve Biegler

LECTOR
Melanie Shull

MUSIC
Jerry Meyer - Cantor
Jane Abernathy - Pianist
Bill Honerkamp - Guitarist
“Lord of the Dance” #570
“Prayer of St. Francis” #527
“Where Charity and Love Prevail” #481
“Song of Farewell” #832
“May the Road Rise to Meet You”

PALLBEARERS
Aaron Welsh - Joshua Welsh - Jacob Welsh
Butch Kitterman - Wayne Shull - Zack Shull - Kenny Lurz

INTERMENT
Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 1:30 p.m.
Mt. View Cemetery
Rapid City, South Dakota

  • I met Wesley when I first started attending OLBH and we would visit before going into church. He was a very nice man and I so enjoyed meeting him and always talking with him. So sorry he will not be at OLBH anymore. He will be missed. I and my family are having masses and prayers said for him. God be with all his family. ~ Marilyn Shelton Rapid City SD (12/4/2015)
  • Over the years I've made several trips back to enjoy the Badlands. Each trip I would stay at the Welsh Motel. And, each time it would be a late arrival, but always Wes was there to check me in. We would chat at length & he would tell me he would be there to check me in until the day he died. I was saddened to learn this day has arrived. Wesley and his family operated Motel, always clean & well maintained with pride, is what is right with America. God Bless Wesley on his final journey Home. ~ Mike Barber Tampa, Florida (12/4/2015)
  • Girls,
    I am so sorry for your loss. I am keeping you in my thoughts and close to my heart at this difficult time. Sending love and strength your way!     ~ Miranda Rapid City (12/4/2015)
  • Kari, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ~ DeDe Stahl Spearfish Sd (12/3/2015)
  • Kari, so very sorry for your loss. May God bring you peace and comfort during this time. ~ Tom,Patsy,&Traeton Tines Wasta,SD (12/3/2015)
  • I have many memories if your dad. My sympathy to you all during this time. Keep the memories close to your hearts. ~ Lea Ymker Armour SD (12/3/2015)
  • Kelly and girls. So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Patty Even Sioux Falls (12/1/2015)
  • I am very saddened for your loss. Wes had a great smile that would make anyone's day brighter. I will miss seeing him at the Credit Union. Please find peace in your memories of him. Share them often with each other. ~ Wendy Allison BHFCU Wall (12/1/2015)
  • We are so sorry to hear about your loss. While we never met Wes, based on the stories that Tracy told he was quite the character and a loving father. We'll have your family in our thoughts in the days and weeks to come. ~ Shawn and Crystal Helmbolt Brookings, SD (11/30/2015)
  • Krista & I are very sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~ Alex Wood Brookings, SD (11/30/2015)
  • Our love and prayers are with the Welsh family. Wes always had a smile and a friendly greeting. ~ Dennis & Susan Walsh Miami, FL (11/30/2015)
  • My Sympathies and Thoughts to each of his daughters during your time of loss. ~ Mary Beth Contreras Chandler Arizona (11/30/2015)
  • Our sympathy to each of you. Your Dad was the friendliest man-always knew who people were no matter how many years have passed! ~ Ed & Linda Eisenbraun Rapid City, S.D. (11/30/2015)
  • So Sorry for your loss~~ ~ Lonnie & Teri Ann Arneson Elm Springs, SD (11/29/2015)
  • I was fortunate to spend time with the Welch's when I was along with the Gunn "kids". Wes and Bev were always kind and welcoming, I always felt like I was just part of the family. Wes always welcomed you with a smile and a kind word. May God keep you all in the palm of his hand. ~ Cherry Gravatt Denke Quinn, SD (11/29/2015)
  • I'm very sorry for your loss, I remember him as a kind man. ~ Charlotte Wilsey Rapid City, SD (11/29/2015)
  • So sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. ~ Jeanne & Marv Botz Wall, SD (11/28/2015)
  • Kari, sending you and your sisters my thoughts and prayers during this time. Know that I am thinking of you! ~ Anita Heathershaw Quinn, SD (11/28/2015)
  • Sending thoughts and my sympathy. ~ Faye Bryan Wasta, SD (11/28/2015)
  • We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to all of you. Cling to great memories and know God will help you all through this difficult time.Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael Oakland, NE (11/27/2015)
  • My Deepest Sympathy! You are in my thoughts and prayers ~ Fawna Goff Sturgis, SD (11/27/2015)
  • My Deepest Sympathy! You are in my thoughts and prayers ~ Fawna Goff Sturgis, SD (11/27/2015)