Lois M. Welch

Lois Welch, beloved sister, aunt, and friend, peacefully departed on March 9, 2025.

She was born on September 6, 1935, to Willard and Grace Sims in Wenatchee, WA. Most of her youth was spent being raised on a dairy farm in Plain, WA. When she was teenager, the family moved to Sedro-Woolley. She leaves behind a legacy of respectfulness, being a willing helper, having a good time, and a love for her family, plus a quick wit.

Lois graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1954. She continued her education at Skagit Valley College and earned her nursing degree. She married Robert Welch and together they started a trucking business hauling precut log houses to Alaska. They eventually built their own log house in Palmer, AK. Lois loved the beauty of Alaska! She was an “outdoor girl” and, besides being an artist, she enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, building and growing gardens, and living the rugged Alaskan life.

In 1998, she and Bob relocated to Bellingham where Lois became active in the Senior Center and Central Lutheran Church. She enjoyed spending countless hours planning and working with senior gatherings and outings, dinners, cleaning, singing, quilting, and Bible studies. Other highlights included Pinochle parties, being a member of the Senior Center’s Stepper-Dancers, and traveling the US with the Senior Travel and Guide tours.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Welch; brothers, Vernon and Russel Sims; sister, Zelma Nelson; and brother-in-law, Frank Cratsenberg.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Cratsenberg; sister-in-law, Donna Sims; and numerous nieces and nephews. Aunt Lois will be dearly missed.

A graveside service will be at 1pm on Friday, March 14 at Union Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley.