Fifth Generation

140. Wilna L. WORDEN was born on 17 August 1928 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^30,65 She died on 12 March 2017 at the age of 88 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁵

Obituary Notes: "Wilna L. Welch, aka “Free Willy,” 88, of Tomah passed away surrounded by her family Sunday, March 12, 2017, at the Serenity House, Tomah.

She was born Aug. 17, 1928, to Louris E. and Esther M. (Vieth) Worden in Wilton. She was a member of the Wilton High School graduating class of 1946. On Oct. 4, 1947, Wilna was united in marriage to Thomas W. Welch at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton, by the Reverend Peter Los Eicher. He preceded her in death Sept. 6, 1978.

Wilna worked for many years in the dietetics department at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tomah, along with raising her five children. She was a faithful and devoted member of Queen of the Apostles Parish at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Playing bingo, visiting with her friends at the Senior Center, polka dancing, country rides and spending time with her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, were a few of her favorite pastimes. She also was an avid Packers and Brewers fan. Wilna was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She had a kind and loving heart and was fiercely independent and hardworking. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be sadly missed by those that loved her.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Diane) Welch of Tomah, Wanda (Rodney) Sheldon of Tomah, Tammy (Douglas Kramer) Brockman of Camp Douglas; a daughter-in-law, Jill Welch of Tomah; 14 grandchildren, Misha Bolstad and Whitney (Corey) Harris both of La Crosse, Michael (Sheri) Sheldon of Warrens, Abbey (Matt) Honaker of Black River Falls, Adamcade Gilson of Tomah, Makensie (Tyler) Watson of Elkhorn, Brayvyn (Aaron) Hammer of Hillsboro, Denise (Gary) Jolin of Tomah, Stephanie (Tom) Clark of Tomah, Jacole Welch of Tomah, Christi Welch of Tomah, Reid Welch of La Crosse, Jayte Welch of Tomah and Sarah Schleicher-Knutson of Oakdale; numerous great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Delores Worden; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas; two sons, Dennis and Steven Welch; a grandson, Jeremy Birkness; and a brother, Marvin Worden.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, March 16, at Queen of the Apostles Parish at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 303 W. Monroe St., Tomah. Monsignor Richard W. Gilles will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service today at the church."

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Wilna L. WORDEN and Thomas Wayne WELCH were married on 4 October 1947 in Wilton, Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^30,65 Thomas Wayne WELCH died on 6 September 1978.⁶⁶

Wilna L. WORDEN and Thomas Wayne WELCH had the following children: