Bruce D. Welch

Bruce D. Welch

Bruce D. Welch, age 81, of Spring Valley, Minn., died on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.

Bruce Donald Welch was born on June 20, 1940 in La Crosse, Wis., to Clarence and Ruth (Guenther) Welch.  Bruce grew up an only child in La Crescent, Minn.  He attended school in La Crescent and then graduated from high school in La Crosse, Wis.  Bruce’s strong work ethic started early while working on his family’s apple orchard.  He also spent summers working on his uncle’s farm.  After graduating from high school and deciding not to join his family’s orchard business, he worked in a lumber yard for a short time before moving to the Spring Valley area to start his own farm.  Bruce purchased his first farmstead in 1963, where he lived and continued to farm.

Bruce married the love of his life, Janet Kaster, on August 2, 1969, at the First English Lutheran Church in Spring Valley.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019.  From this blessed union came three sons and a daughter.  Bruce loved farming and together with his wife, through hard work, perseverance, and many sacrifices, they grew their farm to what it is today.  Bruce, never ready to retire, was still farming with his wife and three sons prior to his death.  We know Bruce, in spirit, will still be making crop tours, checking the rain gauges, and watching over the farm.

Bruce enjoyed taking road trips with family to the Black Hills, the mountains, Florida, and the pacific coast; when the kids were younger, there were many trips made to NASCAR races.  Bruce also enjoyed woodworking, old tractors, Fords, and playing cards.  As much as Bruce loved farming, it’s safe to say he loved a good thunderstorm even more.  He loved spending time with his family and would do anything for them.  Whenever the boys were hauling grain, he always made sure breakfast was ready after that first load and he always kept the grandkids supplied with bug juice, green juice, and plenty of snacks.  He made sure he was there to watch his grandkids sports games, band concerts, 4-H activities, and anything else that was important to them.  Bruce was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend that had a special way of making everyone feel included and welcome while in his presence.  He was truly one of a kind and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife Janet of Spring Valley, Minn.; sons Scott (Rachel) Welch of Spring Valley, Minn., Bryan (Shannon) Welch of Preston, Minn., and Kyle (Heather) Welch of Spring Valley, Minn., his daughter Amber (Dirk) Lecy of Stewartville, Minn.; seven grandchildren: Amy and Jacob Welch, Lindsey and Kylie Welch, Lilly and Matthew Welch, and Jordan Lecy; mother-in-law Ruth Kaster, and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Floyd Kaster.

There will be a small private family gathering at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley, Minn., at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com.