"I remember Inez from the 50's. She was a good friend of my mother, and she was very nice and kind. I lost track of her, and thought she moved to Colorado. I see from this obit that she obtained her Masters there. She lived a long life and influenced a lot of children! Karen Ohler Shields"
In loving memory of
Mary Inez Welsh
January 30, 1922 - July 18, 2019
Williamsburg-Mary Inez Welsh was born January 30, 1922 near Holbrook, Iowa the daughter of Patrick and Mary"Mae" (Bryson) Welsh. She graduated from Williamsburg High School and earned her teaching degree at Mount Mercy Junior College in Cedar Rapids. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree at Iowa Teacher's College in Cedar Falls and a master's degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Inez was a devout Catholic attending St. Michael's Church in Holbrook, Queen of Peace in Waterloo and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg. After teaching in county schools and Marengo School system, she taught at Lowell Elementary School in Waterloo the last 37 years of her teaching career, retiring at the age of 65. The joy of her life was her 19 nieces and nephews. She made each one feel like they were special and encouraged them to reach for their highest potential. She was dearly loved by all of her family, and will be greatly missed. Inez died Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Highland Ridge Care Center at the age of 97.
She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Donna Welsh of Iowa City and Ramona Welsh of Cedar Rapids;7 nephews, Kenneth Garringer, Raymond Garringer, Paul Garringer, David Welsh, Pat Welsh, Mike Welsh and Greg Welsh; 11 nieces, Mary Grimm, Diana Powers, Jan Fick, Cathy Burkholder, Debbie Blood, Helen Mulligan, Teresa Plotz, Jeanie Kruse, Margaret Welsh, Carolyn Lewis and Marie Welsh. She was preceded in death by her parents four brothers, Paul, Leo, Earl and Eugene Welsh, a sister, Anne Garringer and a niece Patty Garringer.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Monday, July 22, 2019, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Holbrook. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg, with a prayer service at 3:00 pm. Memorial are for Friends of Old St. Michael's. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Tributes
"Miss Welsh was the best 3rd grade teacher, sorry for your loss, may you find comfort in all the memories and knowing she lived a full life and made a positive impact on many young kids."
"My name is Nathan Hoppes and I just want you to know how much we appreciated Inez when she lived in my grandmothers apartment for many years. It was so good to have Inez living there as it made my grandmother feel a lot safer just knowing she lived upstairs. Have not seen Inez since she moved from Waterloo, use to talk to her when she went to the mass at St. Francis Hospital. I am truly sorry to hear of her passing, she was a fine woman and a good friend of both my wife and myself. I feel truly blessed knowing her Nathan L. Hoppes"
"I was a 3rd grade student of Miss Welsh at Lowell Elementary in the early 70's. I have fond memories of her as a kind and caring teacher. My sympathies to her family and friends."
"I?m so sorry to hear of Miss Welsh?s passing. She was one of my favorite teachers, but for some reason, i was very afraid of her before I got into her class. She removed those fears on day one in her class. She lived a very long life. I would?ve enjoyed knowing she was still alive and trying to reach out to her, so that she knew how much she meant to me as a student of hers at Lowell School in 1966-67. I became a teacher, as well. I can only hope I made as much of a mark/impact on my former and future students, as she did for me! My condolences to her her extended family."
"I taught with Inez at Lowell School during the 1980s. The first thing I learned from her was how to correctly pronounce Inez. Then from her example I learned how a smile and laughter brought light to the days of the Lowell students. Her love for her students was palpable. She was one of a kind and an example of how love brings joy."
"I did not have Miss Welsh but I am sure one of my eight siblings did. I remember her smiling, laughing and having a very kind and gentle voice when she was in the hallway and at recess. May perpetual light shine upon her. Theresa Schaefer McRae"
"What a great kind loving teacher she was while I was at Lowell elementary School in the 50's. She had such a sweet smile even when some kids were not so pleasant, Sympathy to her family and have pleasant memories Judy Smith Kampman"
"What a blessing this woman was to this world. I have never met such a kind, gentle and loving woman who was loved so greatly. May you all cherish the many memories you created with her and remember she will always be your guardian angel. Prayers to you. Rest peacefully, Inez. Dawn Teggatz"