Sarah Welsh

Sarah Christine Welsh, 91, of Waukon, IA, joined eternity surrounded by her family on Monday, May 13, 2024.  She was born June 1, 1932, in Globe, AZ, the daughter of Frank and Christine (Tovey) Teeling. She was baptized in Tucson, AZ, and when she was 18 months old, her family moved to Waukon, IA, where she was confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. In 1950, she graduated from St. Patrick High School and in 1953 she received her nursing degree from St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, WI.

On October 9, 1954 she married her great love and high school sweetheart, Daniel Welsh.  Sarah and Dan began their life together in North Carolina where Dan was serving in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.  Upon returning to Waukon in 1955, they embarked upon their life on the farm with their young family.  Over the next four decades, she and Dan raised eight children and built a successful farming operation.  She was the organist and choir director for many years at St. Mary's Lycurgus. She also sang in the St. Patrick Church choir, was the soloist at many weddings and funerals, and taught CCD.  As a devoted member of the church, she lectored, acted as a cantor, and was deeply committed to CEW.

Sarah's smile and infectious laugh brought joy to all. Her gentle touch was a comfort to many and her words of wisdom guided us through life's challenges. Sarah was a care giver. Throughout her career as a registered nurse, she worked at St. Francis Hospital, Veterans Memorial Hospital, and Good Samaritan Society. As Director of Nursing at Good Samaritan for 15 years, she guided and commended countless aides and nurses. In giving solace to residents and their families, she helped many through their most challenging times.

She and Dan had an adventurous spirit. Over the years they traveled to Brazil, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and throughout the United States. They enjoyed 16 seasons at their winter home near her birthplace in Arizona.

Our beautiful Sarah will be fondly remembered for her patience and encouragement, her gift of song, her enduring faith, bountiful hugs, challenging puzzles, and delicious fudge nut bars. She enjoyed long walks, good books, singing, and dancing. She took delight in simple pleasures and always expressed gratitude for her full and rich life through three words: "Count your blessings!"  She was a loving wife, a wise and nurturing mother, a devoted grandmother, a supportive sister, and faithful friend.

Sarah is survived by her eight children, 24 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren: Elyn (Jeff) Kronemeyer, of Southampton, NY, children Daniela & Olivia; Tim (Nida) Welsh, of Bangkok, Thailand,  children Sarina, Sasha, and Julian; Kevin (Teri) Welsh, of Waukon, children Chelsea, Brennan, Corey, and Ciara; Joseph (Darcy) Welsh, of Waukon, children Matt, Leah, and Mark; Carol (Keith) Bakkum, of Cape Coral, FL, children Chad, Jason, and Callen ; Shawn (Mickie) Welsh, of Buffalo, WY,  children Daniel and Colin; Maria (Jay) Mathis, of Waukon, children Kara, Katie, and Kristin; and Patrick (Geralyn) Welsh, of Menominee Falls, children Paige, Carter, Nicole, and Ryan;  two sisters: Mary Louise (Tom) Mellick of Waukon and Sheila (Bill) Link of Chicago, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dan in 2013; infant son Daniel; brother, Edward Teeling; and a sister, Frances (Keith) Fahey.

Pallbearers are Tim, Kevin, Joseph, Shawn, and Patrick Welsh, Jeff Kronemeyer, Keith Bakkum, and Jay Mathis.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 21, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Monday at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. The service will also be live streamed on the funeral home's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/martinfunerals . In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Catholic School Waukon, Veterans Memorial Hospital, and Good Samaritan Society Waukon.