Walter Joseph Welsh — Eyota

Walter Joseph Welsh died Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at his home in Eyota. Walter was born in La Crosse, Wis., on Nov. 18, 1941, to Thomas and Laura (Feldmeier) Welsh. He was 72 years-old.

He married Mary Lou Schultze in 1967 in Caledonia. They had two sons together. They were later divorced. Walter worked for the Local 49er's Union as a heavy equipment operator all his life. He retired working for Holm Brother's Construction in Goodhue. Walter was very proud of his sons and his 10 grandchildren. He had a routine daily of driving by to check on all of us -- although he would probably not admit that is what he was doing. He stopped his truck at the end of the driveway to chat.

He enjoyed his daily Pepsi at the Greendoor in the morning and his Kwik Trip stops for his scratch-off ticket! He was a member of the American Legion in Eyota, after serving his country in the Army right out of school serving during the Vietnam War. The legion was his evening stop where he enjoyed playing bingo and dollar burger night from his corner bar stool! His hobbies were gardening in the summer time and making his own pickles. His kids and grandkids could always count on the Hershey's candy bars in the bottom drawer of his refrigerator and some "fresh" popcorn in the bowl on his counter!!

Walter is survived by his sons, Thomas (Sandra) Welsh and Tim (Missy) Welsh from Eyota. His 10 remarkable grandchildren, Jesse Walter and Laura Robin Welsh, and Madison Maria, Dakota Dylan, Tanner Trenton, Colton Connor, Hailee Hannah, Spencer Samuel, Jackson Joseph, and Peytin Pieper Welsh, also all from Eyota. He has five sisters, Agnes Manhart, Mary (Marvin) Wunnecka, Annette (Lavern) Twite, Roseann (David) Shaw, Alice (Ray) Leitzen; one brother, Harold Schauls; and one sister-in-law, Arlene Welsh. He had numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Edward Welsh, Richard Welsh and John Schauls, and a brother-in-law, Henry Manhart.

Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church in Hokah, with Father Pratap officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Eyota, and 10 a.m. until time of the service Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.

Schad & Zabel Funeral Home, 115 South St, Eyota, MN, 507-545-2020, schadandzabelfuneralhomes.com .