Daniel Francis Welsh

Daniel F. Welsh, 81, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, June 21, 2013, at Thornton Manor in Lansing, IA. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 27th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, IA, with Fr. Joseph Schneider and Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 3:30 PM scripture service.

Daniel Francis Welsh was born on March 1, 1932, in Waukon. The son of Patrick and Mary (Zoll) Welsh, he was baptized at St. Mary's Hanover and confirmed at St. Mary's Lycurgus. Dan attended French Creek #5 and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Waukon in 1950. After graduation, he farmed with his father for two years and then enlisted in the Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, achieving the rank of Corporal SP3.

On October 9, 1954, he married Sarah Christine Teeling at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon. Upon discharge from the service in 1955, he returned to Waukon to farm in partnership with his brother, Robert. In 1965, Dan began farming on his own, raising an award-winning cattle herd and helping found the Allamakee County Cattlemen's Association. He was recognized as an Iowa Master Corn Grower and won Iowa regional corn yield contests. Upon retiring from the farm in 1984, Dan embarked upon a new career as a Pioneer seed salesman. During that time, he founded and operated Welsh Catering Service, specializing in Bar-B-Q pork and beef.

As Waukon Person of the Year in 2003, Dan was recognized for his foresight and community leadership. He served as chairman of the Waukon Economic Development Council and was instrumental in bringing The Stony Creek Hotel to the city. He was a charter member of the Veteran's Memorial Hospital Foundation and was instrumental in expanding the Veteran's Memorial Hospital. Dan also served on the Winneshiek Mutual Insurance board of directors and was a member of the Rural Fire Board, Northeast Iowa Farm Business Association, the American Legion, Allamakee County Extension Council, and 4-H Council.

Dan enjoyed working with people and loved touring the US with Sarah in their motor home, spending winters in Arizona and visiting friends from New York to California and Alaska. Together they traveled to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and Europe.

Dan is survived by his wife Sarah; eight children: Elyn (Jeff) Kronemeyer of Southampton, NY, Tim (Aoy) of Bangkok, Thailand, Kevin (Teri) of Waukon, Joseph (Darcy) of Waukon, Carol (Keith) Bakkum of Waukon, Shawn (Michelle) of Buffalo, WY, Maria (Jay) Mathis of Eldora, and Patrick (Geralyn) of Menominee Falls, WI; twenty four grandchildren: Daniela & Olivia Kronemeyer, Sarina, Sasha & Julian Welsh, Chelsea, Brennan, Corey, & Ciara Welsh, Matt, Leah, & Mark Welsh, Chad, Jason, & Callen Bakkum, Daniel & Colin Welsh, Kara, Katie, & Kristin Mathis, and Paige, Carter, Nicole, & Ryan Welsh; five siblings: Mary Lou (Bob) Cota of Harpers Ferry, Lloyd (Betty) Welsh of Lansing, Bernard (Carolyn) Welsh of Waukon, Ida (Bob) Gonsalves of San Jose, CA, and Jerry (Marilyn) Welsh of Lansing; and four-in-laws: Earl Moore and Esther Welsh of Lansing, Robert Heffern of Waukon, and Leona Welsh of Caledonia, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents Patrick and Mary (Zoll) Welsh; an infant son Daniel; four infant siblings: Margaret, Edward, Eileen & Darlene; and family members: Alice & Cliff Armstrong, Bernadine Heffern, Kay Moore, Jeanne Welsh, William Welsh, and Robert Welsh.

Honorary casketbearers are Dennis Byrnes, Pat Cota, Dennis DeBuhr, Kenny Fahey, Irv Fosaaen, Lee Gruenhaupt, Merle Honn, Dave Lensing, Bob Leppert, Phil Norton, Greg and Mark Palmer, Frank Sivesind, Lyle Stock, Jan, Jeff, Jerry, and Joe Sweeney, Dennis and Leo "Butch" Troendle, Jim Ward, Denis and Ralph Welch, and Franklin "Doc" Weymiller. Casketbearers are Daniel's sons and sons-in-law.