John Welsch, 77, of Fontanelle

Mass of Christian Burial: Will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield.  Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery with full military graveside rites conducted by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357 and the Army Military Funeral Honors.  Father Phillip Bempong will officiate the service.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Open Visitation:  Will be held at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Memorials:  May be directed to the John Welsch Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. 

John David Welsch was born October 15, 1946, the son of Raymond Jacob and Margaret Kathryn (Kordick) Welsch in Creston, Iowa.  He passed away Friday, May 31, 2024, at this home surrounded by family at the age of 77. 

John attended Country School Summerset #8 and then Fontanelle High School where he graduated in 1964.  After graduation he starting farming with his dad.   On April 12, 1966,  John entered into the Army Reserve basic training and served until honorable discharge in 1971. 

On August 30, 1969, John was united in marriage to Kathie Lea Ferguson at St. John's Catholic Church in Greenfield, Iowa. After the wedding they moved to the family farm south of Fontanelle, where John was raised, making them the 5th generation to live and farm there.  From this union two children were born, Angela Kay and Kevin Michael. 

He loved the life of farming and raised pigs for 40 years.  You could usually find him in his recliner after lunch to settle in to take his daily nap and watch the Bold and the Beautiful.  He thoroughly enjoyed watching his children and his grandchildren compete in sporting events and camping at the Iowa State Fair and various state parks. He made a lot of lifelong friends and memories while country dancing on the weekends.   July 2023 he enjoyed a family vacation to South Dakota.  John was a devoted member of St. John’s Catholic Church. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gary and Richard Welsch and sister-in-laws Joan and Mary Welsch.  Brother-in-laws Ron, Bill, and Bob Ferguson and sister-in-law Dolores Ferguson. 

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathie; his daughter Angela Hosfelt and husband Bill of Greenfield, his son Kevin Welsch of Winterset.  Grandchildren; Nicholas and Shawna Williams, Callie Welsch, Mariah Taylor, Alicia Hosfelt, Keagan and Steph Hosfelt.  Great grandchildren; Lucille and Henry Hosfelt; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.