Loren Joseph Welsh, age 85, of Prairie du Chien and formerly of Fennimore, died on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse. Loren was born on May 14, 1931, in Prairie du Chien, WI the son of Frank and Elsie (Geisler) Welsh. He married Gilda Freymiller on Sept. 5, 1956 at the Marion Church.
After graduating from Boscobel High School, Loren worked as a farm hand for a short time before entering the US Marine Corp. Upon return home, Loren drove gas truck for Duffy’s City Station in Muscoda before following his true passion and purchasing a farm just west of Fennimore in 1961. He and Gilda affectionately named the farm “Lovebug Acres”. Loren loved working the land and took great pride in seeing his crops mature throughout the growing season. He meticulously took care of all the things the good Lord provided to him, pulling weeds and picking rocks in the fields, waxing his John Deere tractors and treating his animals as family pets. In 1997, Loren and Gilda sold their farm and moved to Prairie du Chien; allowing Loren to be close to the dialysis he needed. After three years, Loren was blessed to receive a kidney transplant and upon feeling better began working in the garden center at True Value in Prairie du Chien and hauling manure in the fall for the Moravits brothers. Loren was a man who would do anything to help a friend or neighbor in need. His generosity, passion for farming and love of family will forever be cherished.
Loren is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Gilda of Prairie du Chien, daughter Gina (David) Vogt of Nashotah, WI, two grandchildren, Tricia (Eric) Helwig of Hartland, WI and Caleb Vogt of Carrboro, NC, great-granddaughter Lorelai Helwig, brother Harvey Welsh of Muscoda, sister Elsie Cecka of Prairie du Chien along with may loved nieces and nephews.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Evelyn (Myron) Knoble, Violet (Harry) Hamann, Leone (Duke) Peloch and Betty (Byron) Freymiller, brother Donald (Myrna) Welsh and infant siblings Francis and Mildred Welsh.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore. Burial with military honors will follow in the Prairie Cemetery. Pastor Kristi Ursin will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Friday evening Nov. 11, 2016 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Saturday morning.