Barbara Lee Welch

Barbara Lee Welch of Amboy (formerly of Mankato) went on to find more gardens to tend and country music to dance to on Monday, July 20, 2020, with her signature humor intact and surrounded by loved ones. A fighter in every sense of the word until the end, she was a survivor whose infinite kindness and compassionate spirit was known by all who loved her. She was 78.

A lover of life and all things family, she enjoyed recalling her younger years singing with her sisters at the Waseca County Fair, many multi-generational camping vacations, and trips to visit family in Arizona, California, Illinois, and beyond. She took great pride in her many accomplishments—her talents at the piano, the love of music and reading she was able to gift her children, returning to school to complete her GED, her secretarial and home care work of many years. She adored her flowers and plants, and had a gift for making things grow. Above all, Barb loved being surrounded by her 11 grandchildren: Jennifer (Daren) Frank, Danica M. Roesch, Taleah A. Roesch, Jamie Joe Roesch, Nicholas J. Roesch, Micah Morrison, Logan Roesch, Angel Roesch, Sadie Roesch, Tristan Roesch, Joshua Anderson and 18 great-grandchildren.

Barb is survived by her children Cherryl A. Roesch (Mark Froehlich) of Mapleton, Scott A. Roesch (Betsy) of St. Peter, Joseph R. Roesch of Mankato, James M. Roesch and Zachary T. Zangel (Karen Anderson), both of Amboy. She also is survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sisters Mary Armstrong Welch (Caren Gaytko) and Terri Armstrong Welch, both of Minneapolis, her aunt, Rose Skramstad of Prescott, WI, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and loving friends—especially her fellow “Mavens of Meadowbloom” in Amboy.

Born the eldest daughter of Evelyn M. (Armstrong) and Robert V. Welch of Waseca, MN in 1942, she entered this world as she exited, under the watchful eye of her brother, Robert J. “ Bobby” Welch, who preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Cottie Welch.

A celebration of Barb’s life will be held from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Monday, July 27, 2020 at the State Street Chapel of Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services. Burial will be at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca, beside her grandparents, Lucius V. B. and Florence Welch. Memorials are preferred.