Wanda Louise Welch

Wanda Louise Welch was born on March 13, 1932, in Shannon County, Missouri, to Elmer Vance and Effie Elizabeth Vance. She went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, at the age of 93. Louise was united in marriage to the love of her life, A. Lloyd Welch, on July 19, 1948, and to this union, two children were born. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, they enjoyed 65 years of marriage before his passing on Jan. 22, 2014; her daughter, Lequeeta; her parents; sisters, Dorothy Vance and Margaret Means; and brothers, Denver Vance, Hayes Vance, Frank Vance, John Vance and Lindell Vance. She is survived by her sister, Carol Powell and her husband, Elmer, of Lake Saint Louis; her brother-in-law, Dick Gordon and his wife, Cathy, of Salem; her son, Stan Welch and his wife, Sherry, of Mansfield; three grandchildren, Steven Welch and his wife, Danina, of Lufkin, Texas, Sumer Tripp and her husband, Doug, of Mansfield, and Chris Bolin and his wife, Jennifer, of Dexter; son-in-law, James Bolin, of Cape Girardeau; seven great-grandchildren, Hannah, Haley and Haven Tripp, Elizabeth and Emily Bolin, and Van and Carter Welch; a great number of nephews, nieces and a host of friends.
Louise worked at Angelica Uniform Company as a supervisor in Eminence, for many years. When they became pastors of First Assembly of God, she resigned her position and became a full-time pastor’s wife. Louise and Lloyd were involved in full-time ministry with the Assemblies of God for 58 years. Their life was built around serving the Lord, and the ministry of the church. When you got one of them you got both of them. She led worship for many years along with being choir director. She directed choir presentations for Christmas, Easter, and other special holidays. She sang in a trio for many years with Mary Lou Nash, her daughter, Lequeeta, and Charlene Nash after Lequeeta moved from the area. Louise was known for her exceptional good cooking, and enjoyed cooking for friends and family. Her chicken and dumplings were sought out at every church dinner along with her dressing, apple and cherry pies, which were always requested at family gatherings. You’ve never really had peach cobbler until you’ve had hers. Louise had a great influence on the lives of her family and many others with her Godly lifestyle. She loved her home church family at Mansfield Assembly of God, and she was dearly loved by her church family. Gran, as all the family called her, was known for her unwavering dedication for her family. She kept in contact with family as much as possible. Her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life. All of the family will treasure the quilts she made for each of them. We celebrate the life of Gran and our family is thankful for the 93 years, 10 months and 23 days. We will never forget what she meant in all of our lives. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and church family. She is now with her Lord and Savior, forever rejoicing in the presence of Jesus.
Psalms 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful saints.”
Visitation for Louise Welch will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, from 12-2 p.m. at Mansfield First Assembly of God in Mansfield, with funeral services following at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Mansfield Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mansfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Missouri Missions – Gideon 300 Project. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.