Jeanette Kay Welch

Jeanette was born on September 4, 1937, in Dorrance, Kansas, to Leonard and Isabelle Fritschen (Hirt). She graduated from Dorrance High School and was a proud parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. From an early age, she carried the quiet strength, kindness, and gentle spirit that would define her life.

Above all else, Jeanette was a devoted mother and grandmother. As the proud mother of four boys, she created a home filled with warmth, patience, laughter, and unwavering support. Her children remember her as kind, gentle, and endlessly loving — a steady presence who believed in them, encouraged their dreams, and celebrated their accomplishments. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, “Gramma K” was a source of comfort, fun, and unconditional love.

Jeanette spent many dedicated years as an administrative assistant at Diebold, where her reliability and gracious nature left a lasting impression. Outside of work, she embraced life’s simple joys. She loved dancing, sewing, playing cards, and enthusiastically cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. She was also a devoted reader, especially fond of novels by Danielle Steele, often losing herself in stories that reflected her own deep appreciation for love and family. She was also a wonderful cook whose kitchen was often the heart of the home, filling it with comforting meals and even warmer memories. Jeanette treasured keepsakes from her grandchildren, lovingly collecting mementos that celebrated their milestones, and she proudly displayed her cherished memorabilia of Elvis Presley.

Jeanette had a gift for making people feel at ease. She was kind, quick-witted, and carried a gentle humor that brightened any room. Her greatest joy was her family — her four children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren — each of whom she loved beyond measure.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard (1994); her mother, Isabelle (2005); her brother, Richard (2007); and her beloved son, Gary (2021), whom she carried in her heart every day.

Jeanette is survived by her children and their wives: Darin and Laura Welch of Kingsville, Missouri; Jeff and Courtney Welch of Overland Park, Kansas; and Kevin and Marissa Welch of Fort Mill, South Carolina; along with her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will continue to honor her legacy of kindness, grace, and unconditional love.

A funeral service will be held on March 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dorrance, Kansas. A graveside service and reception will follow. All who knew and loved Jeanette are warmly invited to attend and celebrate a life beautifully lived.