Dorothy Lou Welch was born on July 10, 1943 in Wyandotte County, Kansas to Halver and Neoma (Welch) McConnell.  She passed away on November 18, 2024.

Dorothy spent much of her childhood and some of her early adult life in Rich Hill, Missouri where she raised her two oldest daughters; Nena and Cindy.

Dorothy met John while working in a small cafe in Lamar, Missouri.  John and Dorothy were married on September 1, 1978 at Lavern's Wedding Chapel in Miami, Oklahoma.  Through this union she became a part of a blended family as the step-mother to John's four children – Bill, Michele, Mary Jane and Christopher.  In July of 1979, John and Dorothy welcomed their own child together, Stacy.  Throughout their marriage, John and Dorothy spent time living in Lowry City and then Weaubleau before they decided to move back to Lowry City and build their dream home in 1998, where they have resided since.

Dorothy led a full and exciting life.  She liked to keep busy and loved to spend time with her family and friends.   During her life, she had many hobbies.  One of her first loves was flying and she completed her first solo flight on November 11, 1969 in Vinita, Oklahoma at the age of just 26 years old.

Dorothy bowled for many years and was even able to travel around the state and country competing in many tournaments that even included multiple National Championship Tournaments.  Through bowling Dorothy made many life-long friends and created amazing memories that became some of her favorite stories.  She even became a Red Hat Lady alongside many of these friends.

During the fall and winter, Dorothy spent much of her time in front of the television watching her beloved Kansas City Chiefs.  She would get so excited and worked up cheering her team on and she was so proud to say that she was a Chiefs fan.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Nancy Cone.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, John Welch; one brother, Harold McConnell, 7 children, Nena (Todd) Merchant, Cindy (Paul) Campbell, John (Connie) Welch, Michele Welch, Mary Jane (Chan) Pearson, Christopher Howell, Stacy (Jeff) Hook; 12 grand children, many great and great great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

Donations can be made to the Fairview-Butcher Cemetery in care of the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home.