Barbara Welch

Barbara Jean Welch, age 77, of Sabula, Iowa, passed away Friday, March 6, 2015, at her home. A funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. , Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at the Sabula United Methodist Church. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Sabula. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. at the church. After the burial, friends are invited to join the family for a time of fellowship at the Sabula V.F.W. A memorial fund has been established in Barbara's memory.
Barbara was born on December 17, 1937, the daughter of Jesse and Gertrude (James) Stoddard in Savanna, Illinois. Barbara was raised in Sabula and attended Sabula schools. She married Eugene H. Welch, Sr. on February 26, 1956 in the Sabula Methodist Church. Eugene died on February 23, 2008.
Barbara and her husband, Eugene owned and operated GND Bait and Boat Shop in Sabula from 1972-2006. Prior to GND, Barbara worked at the Sabula Speaker Factory. She was a longtime member of the Sabula Methodist Church and former member of the Sabula Business Association. Barbara enjoyed canning, cooking, bowling and playing softball. She was an active supporter of the Sabula Little League Association. Barbara loved spending time on the river, fishing with her husband. Most of all, Barbara cherished spending time with her family and friends.
Barbara will be dearly missed by three sons, Doug (Pam) Heidenreich of Sabula, Eugene “Coona” (Linda) Welch, Jr. of Clinton, Iowa, and Steve (Teri) Welch of Sabula; two daughters, Julie (Jerry) Burman of Clinton, and Penny Welch of Sabula; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one brother, Ed (Janice) Stoddard of Bend, Oregon; and one sister, Helen (Charles) Widener of Clinton.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene; three grandchildren, Samantha Welch, Daniel Welch, and Jeremy Heidenreich; and one sister, Patricia O'Bryant.