Eugenia Marie Welch

Eugenia M. “Jeannie” Welch, age 79, of Raytown, MO passed away on August 28, 2018 at Legends Oaks Care Center in Katy, Texas. She suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for over a decade. Jeannie was born on October 12, 1938 in Kansas City, MO to George and Rilla (Elliott) Sobbe Burnett. Jeannie was preceded in death by her father (1955) and mother (2005) and step father Hubert L. Burnett (1989).

Jeannie went to high school at St. Mary’s High School in Independence, MO for three years and then transferred to William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO where she graduated in 1956.

Jeannie married Frank C. Welch on April 19, 1958. Jeannie worked for Gas Services Company in Kansas City, MO for several years until the birth of her first son, Stephen, in 1959. Jeannie spent her entire life devoted to her five children; Stephen, Francis, Jeffrey, Mary and Christina. Even during her advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, Jeannie would tell people at the care center that she had to go pick up the kids.

Jeannie began working again in 1984 for Greyhound Personnel as a temporary employee at Acme Hearing Aide. Jeannie went on to work for Greyhound Personnel as a staff employee and then joined Personnel Pool on October 12, 1988 when the company bought Greyhound Personnel. Jeannie remained with Personnel Pool, which also operated under the names of Interim Personnel and Spherion through the years until retiring in 2006. Jeannie and Frank moved to Houston, Texas in 2009 where they remained married until her death. Frank and Jeannie were married 60 years at the time of her death.

Jeannie made it known to all that she didn’t like to cook but she did love to travel. She loved to be on the go to anywhere and everywhere. Some of her travels took her to international destinations like Germany, Switzerland, Paris, London and Brussels. She also visited many United States destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska, and Las Vegas. She would make annual trips to The Amana Colonies, Iowa with her many friends and sister in laws. She also made frequent antiques and collectible trips to Liberty, MO and Weston, MO. One of her last trips was with Frank, her children (and their spouses) and close family friend “Uncle Ron” Ramsey to Ireland in 2008 in celebration of her 50 years of marriage to Frank. Jeannie also loved Elvis. It just so happened that the Welch family was on vacation in Memphis on the day Elvis died.

Many people had asked Jeannie over the years how she raised five children without cooking. The answer was McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Godfather’s Pizza, A&W Root Beer, Sonic, Zarda Dairy, The Weiner Schnitzel, Fun House Pizza, Lottie’s, KFC, Pizza Inn, Ponderosa, hotdogs, bologna, cereal, pop tarts, cinnamon toast, an occasional meatloaf, Kraft boxes of macaroni and cheese and spaghetti as well as her favorite place; The Steak and Ale.

Jeannie is survived by her husband Frank in Houston, TX. Her sons; Rev. Stephen (Rose Mary) Welch of Sheboygan, WI, Francis Welch of Houston, TX, Jeffrey Welch of Houston, TX, Mary (Jorge) Rivas of Toano, VA and Christina (Matthew) Zimmer of Raytown, MO. She is also survived by her five grandchildren Ryan, Stephanie and Emily Rivas and Bridget and Francis Zimmer. She also leaves behind Ron Ramsey; whom she considered to be the brother that she never had. Additionally, Jeannie leaves behind many family members and friends.

Services will be at Floral Hills Funeral Home in Kansas City, MO with a Visitation on Tuesday September 4, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday September 5, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raytown, MO at 10:30AM. A graveside service and burial immediately following the Mass will be at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Raytown, MO.