Bernadette Welters

Bernadette M. "Boo" Welters, age 83 of Melrose, died unexpectedly Saturday, January 1, 2011 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 7 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers and Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council at 6 p.m. Thursday evening.

Bernadette Marie Springer was born March 23, 1927 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to John and Marie (Kunkel) Springer. Bernadette was born and raised on the family farm north of Melrose. On October 1, 1946 she married Albert Welters at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. The couple took over the family farm where they resided for many years. Boo enjoyed gardening, canning, playing cards, watching the birds, helping Albert on the farm, and spending time at the lake cabin.

Bernadette was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Christian Mothers, and the Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council.

Survivors include her husband, Albert Welters of Melrose; children, Joni Eiden of Bellingham, WA, Kay Welters of Sauk Rapids, Marcus (Rita) Welters of Bellingham, WA, and Janet (Ron) Zitzow of St. Cloud; 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Viola (Dick) Hammond of San Marcus, TX; brother, Edward (Yvonne) Springer of Avon; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Springer of Sauk Rapids.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Irene Roden, Evelyn Grundy, Ann Springer and Alice Hasselbring; brother, Albert Springer; great-grandchildren, Angelo and Michael Kapsner.

Serving as casket bearers will be Roger Gregory, John Gregory, Troy Knafla, Tom Eiden, Brad Kapsner, and Joe Schmidt. Cross bearer will be Michelle Hinnenkamp and scripture bearer will be Naomi Knafla. Honorary bearers will be Tamara Zitzow, Angela Zitzow, Cortney Thyen, Brianna Hinnenkamp, Tyler Hinnenkamp, Daniel Kapsner, and Amber Schmidt.