"I remember meeting Dorothy while serving on the Park and Rec 24-hour Challenge board many years ago. She was a delightful, no nonsense, energetic woman. I appreciated her sense of humor and her genuine smile. Please accept my sympathy on the passing of this lovely lady. Jean Holtgrewe"
In loving memory of
Dorothy C. Welcher
July 13, 1941 - August 22, 2020
MOUNT PLEASANT - Dorothy Welcher, 79, of Mount Pleasant died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. Rev. Paul Connolly will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. According to Dorothy's wishes, her body will be deeded to the University of Iowa College of Medicine following the service. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with the family present. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 PM followed by a Vigil Prayer Service. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on St. Alphonsus YouTube channel: "St. Al's MP Livestream." Masks are required for attendance of the visitation and funeral mass. A memorial fund has been established for Notre Dame High School and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Dorothy and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Dorothy was born July 13, 1941 in St. Mary's, Iowa in Warren County, the daughter of Ignatius and Nelle (Ryan) Gehringer. On July 9, 1966 she was united in marriage to Gary Welcher in Burlington. They made their home in the Mount Pleasant community, where Dorothy worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Garrels and Dr. Nichols.
She was a very active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Dorothy volunteered many places in the community, including Hospice. She was always giving of herself to others through plasma donations and with Women's Health Initiative.
Survivors include her husband Gary; 6 children: Elizabeth (Andrew) Kapust of Olympia, WA; Lesley (Brett) Holgorsen of Houston, TX; Kathleen (Jason) Fry of Mount Pleasant; Michael Welcher of Mount Pleasant; Mary (Robert) Rasmussen of Baltimore, MD; Dave (Lynn) Foulke of Eden Prairie, MN; 11 grandchildren: Ryan and Ella Kapust, Clayton and Garrett Holgorsen, Katelyn, Kirstin and Jacob Fry, Erik, Adam and Tyler Rasmussen, Brianna Foulke; 2 great grandchildren: Malachi Foulke and Chloe Rasmussen; and a sister: Louise Christian of Williamston, MI; and many nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers: David and Joe Gehringer; and a sister: Geneva Morrison.
Tributes
"Dear Gary and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to put into words the impact Dorothy had on my life. One of the best things to ever happen to my family and me was to move to Mt. Pleasant on the same block as the Welchers! Dorothy has remained the best of friends for almost 50 years. Last month, even though it was so hard for her to speak, she reached out to talk with me after learning my sister had died. I am so sorry that I won't be able to attend the funeral; I would have loved to see the "children" after all these years. Liz, Les, and Alex had some great times playing as children. My love to you all, Donna Kirsch"
"Dorothy was simply the best of friends. Receiving a holiday greeting card usually meant a photo of her family. She was super proud of all of you! Walking with the neighborhood crew and drinking coffee around the kitchen table on Jackson St are my favorite Mt Pleasant memories. That she would stop to see me when driving across South Dakota or later in Washington, IA after I moved back touched me deeply. Peace and prayers, Martha Sherman"
"To the Morrison family,
You have our deepest sympathies at the loss of your aunt. She was a very special person.
Debbie Mehaffy and family"
"Dorothy was such a special person who will dearly be missed. Gary you and your family are in Elizabeth and I's thoughts and prayers."
"Gary and family. I am so sorry to read this today. What a beautiful lady inside and outside. She always had joy in her heart. Every time I met her I was lifted up in spirit. She lived a truly blessed life and made a difference in the world. God Bless you all and know I am thinking about you and praying for you and family. Ansel Niemeyer "
"Sending my sincere sympathy to your entire family in the loss of your wife and mother. Dorothy & I met when I began working for Dr.Garrels, and had many good times going to movies together and sharing times on the porch. Also had fun times with Liz in college. May God grant your family comfort and peace in the coming days. I will forever remember Dorothy for her wit, and her ability to always make me smile.. Warmest Regards; Faith Buss Robins,IA"
"Such a lovely, warm person. We visited Lesley in Iowa when my daughter was 2 or 3. Dorothy was so kind and giving that visit. We stayed in her home and were treated like family. I am going through some old pictures from that time, bitter and sweet. Very fond memories for me. Thank you for your kindness, Rest in Peace Dorothy. "
"To Mike Welcher: Scott told us about the passing of your mom! We wanted to let you know we are thinking of you and all of your family. We will continue to keep you and your family in our prayers! Please know that we care! Hugs to you! Dave and Polly Suntken"
"We moved to New London in May 2015 and joined St Alphonsus the following April. Gary and Dorothy were among the first to welcome us to the church and then their family. I?ve learned much in our short time together, of her total devotion to Jesus, family, friends and strangers. I?ll remember her most for her patience teaching me to make her famous cinnamon bread, the knowledge she shared at Tuesday morning scripture, sharing her flowers and many other memories too numerous to mention. I?ll miss her laugh, humor and hugs. Those hugs...how she loved to torment Ron...and he?ll sorely miss them. Thank you, Gary and Family for sharing this beautiful soul with all of us. God Bless. Ron and Mary Rink"
"The Welcher?s are ?home? to me. Gary and Dorothy were second parents to us for many years. We had fun times and lots of laughs. Dorothy loved to tease me but was also one of my biggest supporters. Lesley and I had great times on the softball fields and our parents were our biggest fans. It had been awhile since I?ve seen her, but will miss Dorothy. Her voice. Her smile. One of the strongest women I?ve ever known. My mom just mentioned talking with Dorothy recently and I?m so glad they did. Prayers and love to you all. - Christy Fye"
"Dorothy was such a pleasure to be around from the time when we moved here in 1976 and became there neighbors. Gary and family my heart goes out to you all. She will be truly missed what a great lady she was. God bless and know shes in a better place. Mark and Mary Ledbetter "
"Dorothy was a wonderful lady that had a smile for everyone. She lives on in the hearts and memories of the people she touched. Rest in Peace!"
"Kris and I want to extend our heartfelt sorrow to Gary and Family with Dorothy?s passing. She was an absolute pleasure to work with and was wonderful asset to our practice. She was always happy and knew everyone. When she retired I missed her a great deal. Most of all her laugh. Our thoughts and prayers to all. Dr. Jim and Kris Nichols"
"Dorothy, I watched you from the time I was a young girl. You were my good example that I wanted to model . You are a beautiful soul and will be sorely missed on this earth. All who met you were in the presence of beauty and love. To your closest family members; how fortunate you all are to have been touched by such a gracious lady in your lives. Keep safe the treasures and memories in your hearts, and never forget your great fortune that Dorothy brought to us all who knew her. "
"Please accept my deepest condolences to the Welch's family. Dorothy was always fun to be around and would help anyone that needed it. May God rest her soul. "
"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says;"There, she is gone!" "Gone where?"Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. and just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!"There are other eyes watching her coming,and other voices ready to take up the glad shout;"Here she comes!" Rejoicing for Heaven's gain. She has been made new and whole again. Cherish memories. Hugs, Lorena "