Dorothy Welcher, 79, of Mount Pleasant died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. Rev. Paul Connolly will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. According to Dorothy’s wishes, her body will be deeded to the University of Iowa College of Medicine following the service. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with the family present. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 PM followed by a Vigil Prayer Service. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on St. Alphonsus YouTube channel: “St. Al’s MP Livestream.” Masks are required for attendance of the visitation and funeral mass. A memorial fund has been established for Notre Dame High School and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Dorothy and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Dorothy was born July 13, 1941 in St. Mary’s, Iowa in Warren County, the daughter of Ignatius and Nelle (Ryan) Gehringer. On July 9, 1966 she was united in marriage to Gary Welcher in Burlington. They made their home in the Mount Pleasant community, where Dorothy worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Garrels and Dr. Nichols.
She was a very active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Dorothy volunteered many places in the community, including Hospice. She was always giving of her self to others through plasma donations and with Women’s Health Initiative.
Survivors include her husband Gary; 6 children: Elizabeth (Andrew) Kapust of Olympia, WA; Lesley (Brett) Holgorsen of Houston, TX; Kathleen (Jason) Fry of Mount Pleasant; Michael Welcher of Mount Pleasant; Mary (Robert) Rasmussen of Baltimore, MD; Dave (Lynn) Foulke of Eden Prairie, MN; 11 grandchildren: Ryan and Ella Kapust, Clayton and Garrett Holgorsen, Katelyn, Kirstin and Jacob Fry, Erik, Adam and Tyler Rasmussen, Brianna Foulke; 2 great grandchildren: Malachi Foulke and Chloe Rasmussen; and a sister: Louise Christian of Williamston, MI; and many nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers: David and Joe Gehringer; and a sister: Geneva Morrison.