Vernon Welle

Vernon J. Welle, age 91 of Spring Hill, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, June 10, 2024 at his home in Spring Hill, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 14 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Spring Hill with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. St. Michael’s Men’s Society will pray at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. 

Vernon Joseph Welle was born June 14, 1932 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Henry and Erma (Meyer) Welle. He was united in marriage to Genevieve “Gennie” Lieser on July 17, 1956 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Lake Henry, Minnesota. Vernon farmed all of his life northwest of Spring Hill. He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spring Hill and St. Michael’s Men’s Society. Vernon truly loved farming, draft horses, and water witching. He enjoyed going to Iowa for the draft horse sale and taking an occasional trip to the casino.

Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Gennie Welle of Spring Hill; children, Debbie (Steve) Christians of Montevideo, Bobby (Donna) Welle of Spring Hill, Danny (Deanna) Welle of Spring Hill, and Kathy (Pete) LeClaire of Spring Hill; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with three on the way; brothers and sisters, Alice (Herb) Peters of Sauk Centre, JoAnn Middendorf of Sauk Centre, Henry "Sunny" (Bunny) Welle of Winona, and David (Marilyn) Welle of Greenwald; sister-in-law, Lillian Welle of Sauk Centre; brother-in-law, Gerald Lieser of Spring Hill; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, John Paul LeClaire; brothers, Al Welle, James Welle, and Charles Welle; and sisters, Carol Pelkey and Marlene Lieser.

A special thank you to Mary and Rosie Wuertz, Deb Carlson, Linda Van Beck, and Judy Woitalla for their wonderful care of our father.