Gregory E. "Greg" Welch

Gregory E. “Greg” Welch, 68, of Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Mark Lichter as celebrant.

Greg’s wishes were to be cremated.  Burial, with military rites, will take place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Friends may sign Greg’s online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Gregory Edward Welch was born April 4, 1950, to Donald Joseph and Dorothy Ledine (Waters) Welch in Madison, SD.  This is the area where he was raised and attended school, graduating from Madison High School with the Class of 1968.  Very recently Greg had the opportunity to gather and catch up with classmates and friends at his 50-year high school reunion, which he enjoyed greatly.  Greg furthered his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology in 1973.

Greg enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on August 3, 1973, and served his country in Okinawa during the Vietnam Era.  He earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before receiving his Honorable Discharge on August 3, 2001.

Greg was united in marriage to Marcella Ann “Marcie” Baer on October 28, 1978, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen.  They, along with their son, Kyle, made Aberdeen their home, where Greg was employed with the South Dakota Department of Health.  His career in health service spanned 31 years and included employment in South Dakota, Wyoming, and North Dakota.  In 2008, Greg began working at Indian Health Services in Aberdeen and was currently employed there at the time of his death.

Greg was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen.  He was also a member of Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24 of Aberdeen and the South Dakota Infection Control Council. While his son was growing up, Greg also volunteered his time as the Assistant Scout Master of the Aberdeen Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 51.  In his spare time he enjoyed trapshooting, hunting, fishing, and kayaking.   Above all, Greg loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his granddaughter, Elena, who was the light of his life.  He also loved taking his beloved dog, “Max”, for walks.

Blessed to have shared in Greg’s life is his wife of 40 years, Marcie Welch of Aberdeen; his son, Kyle Welch and granddaughter, Elena Welch, both of Tucson, AZ; one sister, Wendy (Joe) Determan of Mead, NE; four sisters-in-law:  Kathy (Welch) Patterson of Wentworth, SD, Mary Gruenstein and Fran Mastel, both of Aberdeen, and Roberta Clemen (Dave Andersen) of Apple Valley, MN; one brother-in-law, LeRoy Neuhardt of Aberdeen; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Dorothy Welch; brother, Kelly Welch; brother-in-law, Ron Mastel; sister-in-law, Loretta Neuhardt; and great-niece, Mikayla Gruenstein.    

Honorary pallbearers will be all of Greg’s nieces and nephews.

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