Elizabeth Laura Seide Welch
Elizabeth Laura Seide Welch, 88, passed away on Dec. 24, 2017 surrounded by family at Mary and Pete’s Assisted Living Home in San Manuel, Arizona.
Liz, as she was known by friends and family, was born Nov. 25, 1929 to Henry W. Seide and Jessie E. Rider Seide on the family farm in Twin Brooks, South Dakota. She was the youngest of four children.
Liz married the love of her life, William E. Welch on Feb. 7, 1948. They moved to Lead and then Terryville, South Dakota where William worked as a miner at the Home Stake Gold Mine.
In November 1955, she followed her husband to San Manuel, Arizona for a job at Magma Copper Company. In the summer of 1966 they moved into their newly built home in Oracle, Arizona.
Liz was very active in the community. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and helped her husband with the Oracle Senior League. She was a member of the Funsters and Elks Club in San Manuel as well as the Archery Club where she competed in archery contests. When the need arose for someone to take over the Oracle 4-H Club she stepped up and took it over and became the Community Leader. She helped San Manuel start up their 4-H Club as well by working with the County Extension Office. While in 4-H, she arranged and worked many gymkhanas for the surrounding area and also helped run the Oracle ropings.
Liz had a hand in planning and running the 1973 Oracle Centennial celebration. She became a member of the newly formed Quadrille Team and performed in many quadrilles. When Mr. Marion Mifflin wanted to build a center for the Oracle community, Liz and her husband didn’t hesitate. With their efforts as well as others, they raised enough money for the Oracle Community Center to be built. Liz played Bridge every Tuesday with her friends at this same center until she became too ill to continue.
Liz enjoyed playing cards and had a passion for knitting and crocheting. Family and friends have many of her creations. She loved camping in the White Mountains and became a camp host for over 20 years with her husband at the West Fork campgrounds of the Black River. She met people from near and far becoming good friends with some of them.
Liz is survived by her husband of almost 70 years, William E. Welch, and their children, William (Rose) Welch, Catherine (William) Damron, Randy (Kathy) Welch, and Margie (Terry) McGovern. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brigette Martin, Robert Welch, Victoria Laetsch, Nicholas Welch, Stephanie McGovern, Tyler McGovern, Catherine Damron, Patrick Welch and Jeremy Welch; and 21 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Melba Tillman and Maelou Bosley, brother Henry R. Seide, and son Patrick Welch.
Liz was friend and “mom” to many and will be greatly missed. She asked that no services be held. Instead, there will be a gathering of friends and family at the Oracle Union Church in Trowbridge Hall, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.