Leroy A. Welke

WELKE LeRoy A. Welke, 89, of Rochester, MN. died Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Golden Living Center West in Rochester. LeRoy Alfred Welke was born on March 5, 1927 in Plainview, MN to Alfred and Lila Welke. He was raised by his Uncle Leonard and Aunt Lenora Welke in Hammond, MN. LeRoy graduated from Hammond/Millville High School and also attended Dunwoody Community College in St. Paul for sheet metal fabrication. He farmed near Hammond, MN until enlisting in the U.S. Navy and served during W.W. II in Asia as an amphibious vehicle driver. LeRoy worked in utility sales for Alpek sheet metal, installing HVAC and duct work in commercial buildings around Rochester and many other MN. and WI. locations until retiring. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion and loved to hunt deer and waterfowl and enjoyed fishing almost anywhere. He was a former VFW baseball coach and coach for Hammond baseball team. LeRoy married Beatrice Evans from Elgin and they were married for twenty years. On October 17, 1975, he married Joyce Wussow of Rochester, and she died in 1986. On May 25, 1991 he married Rose Hanson of Rochester and she survives. He is survived by his wife Rose; son, Richard Lee (Grace) Welke of Boone, IA; grandchildren, Emily Nienaum (Welke) Grimes, IA, Elizabeth Welke, Webster City, IA.; step-children, Donna (Mike) Lofton, Jean (Roy) Medlock, John Hansen, and Krist Hansen; stepchildren Judy (Russ) Theel, Wess Wussow, Rick (Peg) Wussow, Roger Wussow and Tami Baker; and brother, Duayne Welke of Plainview. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Morris Welke of Elgin; his sister Elaine Welke-Kurth of Elgin; step-daughter Joanne Luther, and aunts and uncles. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #92. Burial at a later date will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens, Rochester. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN www.ranfranzandvinefh.com