Donald Charles Welch, 84, died at home surrounded by his loving family on January 16, 2012. He was born May 24, 1927 to the late Charles and Kathryn (Stangl) Welch, in La Crosse, WI.

 

Before graduating from Aquinas High School in 1944, Don achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, became the city’s youngest lifeguard, and joined a popular dance band. Don became an accomplished self-taught piano player and entertained many with a twelve-piece band, the Paul Fredrick’s Orchestra and later, with the Johnny Howard Trio. Don played with the trio for thirty years, along with his friends and band-mates Bob Mickschl and Jack Fischer. In later years, Don continued to entertain friends and family with his lively piano tunes.

 

Upon graduation from Aquinas, Don served proudly in the U.S. Navy through 1945. Don earned his degree in Engineering in 1950 at his beloved alma mater, Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.

 

Returning to La Crosse after graduation, Don married the love of his life, Mercedes J. Norby. During the ensuing years, Don started his career at the Trane Company in La Crosse, served as the Scout Master of Troop 11 at St. Joseph’s Parish and designed and built his own home at the base of Granddad Bluff for his family, now numbering five children.

 

Don retired from the Trane Company after 40 productive years as a design engineer. He earned several patents for heat transfer coils and was recognized for his professionalism and mentoring younger engineers. Don shared his retirement with Mercedes at their home on the Black River; fishing, boating, walking local trails and cheering on his sports teams, particularly the Packers and Notre Dame. They also took many memorable ocean cruises together. Don was an avid “do-it-yourselfer” and rarely bought anything he could fabricate himself. It would be hard to find anyone who believed in the principal of “buy American” more than Don. Don was a very enthusiastic Grandpa as well.

 

Don is survived by Mercedes, his wife of 62 years, his children, Kathleen (John) West of Checotah, OK, Barbara (Jim) Mason of La Crosse, Donald (Connie) Welch of Monona, WI, Timothy (Andy Cardenas) Welch of Palm Springs, CA, and Terrance Welch of La Crosse, as well as his grandsons, Petty Officer Brandon Welch of Oak Harbor, WA and Eric Welch of Monona, WI, and Don’s only brother, William G. Welch of Onalaska, WI.

 

Don’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Father Robert Cook, Dr. Rushlow and the caring staff at St. Francis/Skemp Mayo Health Center, the Hillview Nursing Home and Mayo Clinic Home Care and Hospice.

 

Services will be held at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in the Marian Chapel in La Crosse at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 19 with visitation at 9:30 a.m. until the mass at the church. The Rev. Charles Stoetzel will celebrate and the Rev. Robert Cook will concelebrate. Interment will be at Catholic Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Boy Scouts of America, the Franciscan/Skemp Mayo Health and Hospice group or the charity of your choice. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.couleecremation.com.