Ronald James Welch

Ronald James Welch, 76, of Sabula, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on February 11, 2026. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, February 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery outside of Sabula. A celebration of his life will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the Sabula VFW.

Ron was born on August 1, 1949, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Marshall and Anna (Henrichsen) Welch. He attended Sabula schools and, at a young age, found his calling on the Mississippi River. He began commercial fishing alongside his brother before eventually striking out on his own.

Ron spent his entire life fishing and trapping along the Mississippi, guided not by rules or convention but by instinct, experience, and an understanding of the natural world. He was never one to enjoy taking orders, yet he was an exceptional outdoorsman. His knowledge of the land was so keen that he once told his nephew, struggling to get his first deer, to sit on a particular rock and wait until around 4 p.m. Sure enough, the deer appeared right on time. Ron was also the first man to legally trap and tag an otter in the state of Iowa.

Outside of work, Ron enjoyed swapping stories with friends and watching old westerns. For decades, he lived much of his life on his houseboat, spending his days on the river that shaped him, sustained him, and gave him peace.

Ron is survived by his brother, Vernon Welch, of Bellevue, IA; sister, Marie Wyantt, of Clinton, IA; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, including nephew, Steve, and great-nephew, Kody, who were quite close to Ron. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Eugene (Barbara) Welch and Donald (Myrna) Welch; sisters, Ruth Macy and Helen Rickliff; and sister-in-law, Joyce Welch.