David "Dave" Leroy Welch

David “Dave” Leroy Welch, 67, of Pennock, passed away on January 16, 2020, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a long struggle with lung disease.  There will be a visitation Friday from 4-6 pm at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar with a Time of Remembrance at 6:00 pm.  

Dave was born December 30, 1952 to James and Arlene (Adams) Welch, in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of four brothers. He grew up in the Kerkhoven area and following his graduation from Kerkhoven High School in 1971, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972. He specialized in missile radar operations/repair and completed a tour of duty in South Korea and an 18 month station at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Dave was honorably discharged in 1975. Dave married Janine (Nevala) on February 19, 1988, and they had three sons together.

He attended Ridgewater College in Willmar and obtained a degree in accounting and went on to take additional college courses in Minneapolis. He was employed at the Willmar Regional Treatment Center, D.C. Hey Corporation in Minneapolis and worked as a child support officer for Kandiyohi County Child Protection Services until his retirement in 2014.

Throughout his life, Dave was an avid Minnesota Twins fan, enjoyed curling with the Willmar Curling Club, played golf as a lifelong member of Valley Golf Course and enjoyed riveting games of cribbage and card games with family and friends. He took many fishing trips with his brothers and he looked forward to new fishing expeditions once he arrived home. Dave especially treasured his time with his two grandsons and would often read them books and sneak them treats.

He is survived by his wife, Janine, of Pennock; son, Andrew (and Elizabeth) Welch of Woodbury; grandsons, Samuel and Benjamin Welch; brothers, Jerry (and Nancy) Welch of Spicer, and Gary (and Bev) Welch of Eau Claire, WI.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, James and Arlene; brother, James Welch; sons, Samuel Nevala (in infancy) and Ian Welch in 2019.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David "Dave" Leroy Welch, please visit our floral store.