Evonne Janet (LaRoche) Welsh

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Evonne Janet (LaRoche) Welsh was born on April 1, 1935, in Quinn, South Dakota, to Ben and Irma LaRoche. She was raised in Wall, South Dakota, where she met and eventually married G. Arthur Welsh. They were the parents of eight children.

Evonne's Christian faith, Lakota Sioux heritage, and the love of her family gave her comfort and strength throughout her lifetime.

Evonne enjoyed music, as she played the violin and sang. She was an avid reader, loved puzzles and, on occasion, enjoyed a slot machine or two.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Ben F. LaRoche and Irma Babcock; stepfather, Scott Babcock; husband, G. Arthur Welsh; daughter, Paula Welsh Blasky; brothers-in-law, George Gunn and Wesley Welsh; sisters-in-law, Bev Welsh and Laura Jean Gunn, and father and mother-in-law, Harold and Mary Welsh.

She is survived by her children: Wendy (Bob) Knackert, of Franklin, Peter (Arlene) Welsh, of Winnsboro, S.C., John (Cathy) Welsh, of Peoria, Ariz., Richard (Shelly) Welsh, of Ashville, Ohio, Joe (Nicole) Welsh, of Monroe Falls, Ohio, Patrick (Sheryl Gahagan), of Watertown, and Chrissy (Scott) Maves, of Dixon, Ill.

Evonne's greatest joy was her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was fondly referred to as GreenMa, Geeky and Gramma Lightnin'. Although distance kept her apart from her family at times, she has loved them deeply and unconditionally.

She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Gary (Pat) Welsh, of Rapid City, S.D., and many nieces and nephews.

She lived a life with a positive attitude and pure joy, which was shared with everyone she met. She will be missed by those fortunate enough to have known her.

A private Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Sept. 1, in Milwaukee.

To send condolences please visit polofamilyfuneralhome.com