James Welle

James "Jim" M. Welle, age 68 of Spring Hill died on Friday, September 12, 2003 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Monday, September 15 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill with Rev. Leo Leisen officiating. Internment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 3:30 - 9 p.m. Sunday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and Monday one hour prior to the service at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. The St. Michael's Catholic Aid Society, St. Michael's Men's Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Melrose Knights of Columbus will pray at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home in Melrose followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m.

James "Jim" Welle was born on August 20, 1935 in Sauk Centre, MN to Henry and Ermalinda "Erma" (Meyer) Welle. He was united in marriage to Bernice (Stalberger) Welle on September 2, 1957 at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. Jim farmed in Spring Hill until retiring in 1991. Jim was a member of the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill, St. Michael's Catholic Aid Society, St. Michael's Men's Society, Catholic Order of Foresters of New Munich, Greenwald Lions and the Melrose Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, driving tractor, watching the Spring Hill Chargers, spoiling the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and being around his friends and family.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice Welle; children, Sharon (Jim "Gibby" ) Shoenberg, Tom (fiancée, Cindy Olson) Welle, Jim "Chico" (Kathy) Welle, Jr., Pat (Barb) Welle, Tina (Pete) Luke, Lisa (Scott) Rutten and Peter Welle and special friend, Katie Miller; brothers and sisters, Alvin "Al" (Lillian) Welle, Vernon (Genny) Welle, Marlene (Gerald) Lieser, Carol (Jerome) Pelkey, Alice (Herb) Peters, JoAnn (Art) Middendorf, Hank (Ann) Welle and David (Marilyn) Welle; 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ermalinda (Meyer) Welle; brother, Chuckie Welle.

Casket bearers will be Amy Orbeck, Lynn Schoenberg, Mike Schoenberg, Samantha Rutten, Adam Welle, Doug Welle, Cindy Anderson and Kathy LeClaire. Travis Welle will serve as cross bearer and the scripture bearer will be Diane Gillingham.Honoray bearers will be Joey Athmann, Cyril Winter, John Schwagel, Ray Welle, Duane Bertram, Tom Wuertz, Werner Gruber, Allen Lembeck, Roman Klaphake, Scott Eichers, Art Eichers, Jim Stalboerger, Mike Ludwig, Al Luetmer, Sylvester Klaphake, Aloys "Red" Meyer, Andy Noonan, Donald Welle and Bob Barten.