Doris E. Welch

Doris E. Welch, 87, of Ottawa, KS passed away October 6, 2015. She was a lifelong resident of Franklin County, KS and spent her last year living at the Wellsville Retirement Center in Wellsville, KS. Doris attended school at Mud Creek School and Williamsburg High School. She used her talent for pencil sketching in a drawing of the Mud Creek School that appeared in a 1991 Ottawa Herald series about old Franklin County rural schools, by Jim Hitch. Throughout the years, Doris worked at Wollen Eye Care, Pat’s Carousel Gift Shop, and Frieda’s Dress Shop, and also volunteered as a 4H Leader and for Hope House. Doris loved home life and treasured time spent with family and friends. She loved sitting on her screened porch with Snookie, her beloved Chihuahua; gardening; collecting red birds; old-style country music; sketching; painting; and crafting. As a resident of the Wellsville Retirement Center, she enjoyed playing Bingo; Cliff and Sharon’s bird feeders; Joe’s harmonica playing; puzzle making; music programs; Lilly, the resident Golden Retriever; dog sitting with Activity Director Jennifer’s miniature Chihuahua, Chloe; and reminiscing with new friends made through her Franklin County roots. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edna and Edgar Reeves. Survivors include daughters, Sue Judd Evans, Connie Judd Hashman, Rhonda Welch Johnson, and their spouses; stepson, Alan Welch and spouse; grandchildren, Destini Hashman Lenz, Kasandra Hashman Erbaugh, Dana Johnson, Megan Evans, and Jared Johnson; step-grandchildren, James, Jason, and Adam Welch; 6 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; sister, Beverly Reeves Ward; and brother, Acie Reeves, and their spouses. The family would like to extend a very sincere thank you to all Wellsville staff, volunteers, neighbors, and Scott, Sue, and Lilly Averill for making Mother’s stay over the last year and a half in both Skilled Nursing and the Sunrise Assisted Living Community, a very positive, comfortable, caring, and loving experience. Memorial gifts can be made to Prairie Paws, 3171 Hwy K68, Ottawa, KS 66067, or LeadaChild CCCS, 1000 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604. Doris’ family will have a private family graveside gathering on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 11:00 am, at the Princeton Cemetery. Following this private event, the family asks for friends to join in a “Celebration of Doris’ Life” at the Princeton Community Center from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. (1535 Highway 59 Princeton, KS 66078) Guests are asked to bring a covered dish to share. Dinnerware, coffee, tea, and water will be provided.