Richard Welch

Rich was born Sept. 7, 1940, in Norway, son of the late Charles and Lenore (Caddy) Welch.

He was a 1958 graduate of Vulcan High School. Rich served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army where he completed his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas in the First Air Defense Guided Missile Brigade. Rich then transferred to Wiesbaden, Germany where he completed his military service in 1965.

He married Carole Jean Backlund on April 29, 1967, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Norway. They celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this year.

Rich worked at General Controls, LoDal, and then for 30 years at Wisconsin Electric where he ended his career as the customer service supervisor.

He was an active member of the Iron Mountain Jaycees, Norway Kiwanis Club (two years as president), the head of the Builders Exchange for several years, the Tri-County Snowmobile Club, 50 plus year member of Oak Crest Golf Course, and was instrumental in bringing Arabian horses to Dickinson County. He was active in his church for many years holding several positions, taught high school Sunday school, led high school youth group activities with Carole, and played the organ.

His interests included traveling, especially to St. Maarten for 30 plus years, golfing at Oak Crest, hunting, boating, going to camp, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Tigers, and Michigan Tech Football. Rich was a jack-of-all trades and helped family and friends when needed. He was a great family man and cherished his time with all of them.

Rich is survived by his wife, Carole; one son, Anthony (Wendy) of Quinnesec; brother. William (Gloria) Welch; sister, Carolyn Lindquist; brother-in-law, Terry (Kay) Backlund; sister-in-law, Mary Kay (Fritz) Ehrhardt; one grandson, Cole (Andrea); three great-grandchildren, Evelyn Jean, Lenora Lucille, and Charles Anthony; stepgrandson, Cory (Marie) Wilson and their children, James Donald and Kenneth Timothy. He is also survived by many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles, and Lenore; in-laws, Robert, and Mary Backlund; sister-in-law, Patricia (Robert) Hanson; brother-in-law, Ron Lindquist; and best friend, Dick Anderson.

Rich and Carole would like to thank the special people (in addition to their family) who helped them through Rich’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer: Dr. Gustav Morel; PA, Michele Morel; Emily Essendrup, Oncology NP; Jim Campbell, RN; and entire staff at Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson. Also, thank you to Dr. Sarah White and her staff at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Graveside services will be held at a later date at the Norway Township Cemetery.

Condolences to the family of Rich may be made at ortmanfuneralhome@norwaymi.com.

Arrangements were made with the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.