Raymond Welle

Raymond H. "Ray" Welle, age 88 of Spring Hill, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, March 24, 2015.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman and Rev. Mark Willenbring concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Raymond Hubert Welle was born July 1, 1926 in Spring Hill, Minnesota to Michael and Adella (Meyer) Welle. On August 31, 1948 he was united in marriage to Alverna Loch at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Belgrade. The couple spent 43 years farming on the family farm near Spring Hill until they moved into the town of Spring Hill in 1991. Ray was also an insurance agent for Grove Mutual Insurance where he served as director.

He was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill. Ray sang in the church choir for 60 years and also served on the parish council. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic United Financial, St. Michael's Men's Society, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Council 3820 of Spring Hill, Catholic Order of Foresters, Spring Hill Recreation Club, and Midwest Outdoors Unlimited.

Ray loved spending time with his family and was, first and foremost, devoted to taking care of his wife, Alverna. Whether it was fishing and hunting, teaching his grandkids how to play 500 Rummy, attending sporting events, bowling, and watching the Minnesota Twins, Ray truly enjoyed these hobbies with his family. Music was a big part of Ray's life. He liked to play the harmonica and also enjoyed dancing back in the day. He was proud to be a farmer and loved helping on the farm after his retirement.

Survivors include his children, Darlene (Doug) Hookom of Anoka, Mary (Bill) Kemper of Melrose, Kathy (Ralph) Loehr of Savage, Ron (Kathy) Welle of Spring Hill, Mike (Donna) Welle of New Munich, Linda (Tom) Visser of Frisco, Texas, Lois (Will) Pomroy of Minnetonka, Larry (Rose) Welle of St. Cloud, and Steve (Diane) Welle of Spring Hill; 29 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Leona Rolfzen of Rochester, Walter (Lillian) Welle of Detroit Lakes, Julie (Jim) Verzuh of Bozeman, Montana, Angie Welle of Brainerd, Sylvester (Judy) Welle of Spring Hill, and Bernie (Dave) Sieben of Melrose.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Alverna Welle on August 21, 2013; parents; and sister, Bernice Welle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.