James Welch

Mass of Christian Burial for James Bernard Welch, 87, of Hoyt Lakes will be 10 am Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Hoyt Lakes with Fr. Peter Lambert celebrating. A visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Wednesday (tomorrow) at the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora and will continue one hour prior to mass at the church. Military honor will be accorded by the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Color Guard. Interment will be in the Memorial Cemetery, Hoyt Lakes. James died Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. He was born on November 10, 1930 to William and Nellie (Goodness) Welch in Lake Andes, SD. Growing up on a family farm in Luverne, MN, Jim graduated from the Luverne High School, Class of 1948. He enlisted into the US Army where he played the tenor saxophone in the Army Band. Upon his honorable discharge, Jim continued his education in engineering before shortly transferring to the field of pharmacy. Jim graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy in 1955. He worked at and owned several pharmacies around St. Paul including Baumhofer and Anderson Drug Stores. On August 18, 1951 Jim was united in marriage to Dolores Williams. Jim owned and operated Mesaba Drug in Hoyt Lakes since 1974. He was a member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Hoyt Lakes, Knights of Columbus having achieved 4th degree status, Hoyt Lakes Chamber of Commerce, American Legion in Aurora, Minnesota Pharmacy Association, Hoyt Lakes Senior Citizens Club and the Hoyt Lakes Development Corporation. Jim, along with Senator Oberstar were instrumental in the highway 11 construction. He was also proud of being a founding investor in the Country Inn in Hoyt Lakes. He had spent time in Honduras volunteering as a pharmacist on a Medical Team. Jim had many interests that included playing sax in jazz bands, reading, watching sports, and bowling. He enjoyed traveling and had been to many exotic lands including Europe, Thailand, Egypt, Russia, China and Mexico. He took great pleasure in the annual spring fishing trip with his sons and friends to Lake Vermilion. Jim also enjoyed cross country skiing and had finished the Pepsi Challenge several times. Survivors include his children: Nancy (Mike) Radtke of HL, Debra (John) Prokosch of Lake Elmo, Patricia Connett of Woodbury, Thomas (Tracy) of HL, William (Robin) Welch of Norco, CA, Renee (Mitch) Ronning of HL, Tim (Dania) Welch of Half Moon, NY, Dan (Janet) Welch of Kingston Springs, TN, Mary (Vincent) Fossell of HL, and Jennifer (Ryan) Pickard of Kent, IL; Grandchildren: Miles (Steph), Jennifer (Jim), Keith (Jen), Travis (Abby), Kyle (Danielle), Justin (Jesse), Megan (Max), Nicholas (Laura), Breanna (Kevin), Tiffany, Erin (Erik), Chad (Ashley), Brody (Kelly), Simon, Rachel, Richard (Amy), Robert (Rebekah), Michelle (John), Erik, John, Taylor, Madelyn, Reed, Brittany (Jake), Jenna, Kailey, Alexa, Ashley, Nakiya, Issac, and Eli; twenty five great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; a sister: Jeannie (Roger) Balcer of Effingham, IL; brother: Dennis (Leslie) Welch of Brea, CA; sister-in-law: Nori Duchene of Yankton, SD; as well as several nieces, nephews, and foreign exchange students. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores in 2010; a grandson, Marshall Larsen; granddaughter, Olivia Pickard; brother, Richard Welch; son-in-law, Steve Connett; sister and brother-in-law: Alice and Irv Davis; and his parents.