Anna Amelia Welch, 91, of Gardner, KS passed away August 27, 2018 at Baldwin Healthcare and Rehab Center. Anna's body will be donated to medical research and education at KU Medical Center. Rosary will be 7:00 pm Friday, August 31, 2018 at Divine Mercy Parish, 555 W. Main St., Gardner, KS 66030. A Memorial Mass will be held 9:00 am Saturday, September 1, 2018 also at the church. Inurnment at a later date at St. Columbia Catholic Cemetery, Gardner. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Divine Mercy Parish Building Fund. Arrangements: Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner 913-856-7111. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com Anna was born on December 9, 1926 in Pittstown Township, PA to John and Mary Volansky. She spent her early years in DuPont, PA. In 1945, Anna graduated from DuPont High School and was Valedictorian of her senior class. She enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was acting platoon sergeant. Following basic training and leadership school at Ft. Lee, VA, she met and married Jerry Welch of Great Bend, KS. After 27 months of service, Anna and Jerry were discharged from the Army and settled in Otis, KS. While in Otis, their son, Michael, was born. They subsequently moved to Albert, KS, where they lived for 18 years. Anna worked at Gibsons in Great Bend and then worked at the post office in Albert. In 1975, they moved to Gardner, where she worked at the bulk mailing center in Kansas City, KS. Anna and Jerry's pastimes included: bowling, horse racing and "going to the boats". After her retirement, she was an active member of the Legion of Mary, served as Sacristan at Divine Mercy Parish and was an active member of the Altar Society. Anna was a true and faithful servant to her faith and her church. Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; mother, Mary; father, John; brothers: Joseph, Andrew, John, Michael and Francis and sisters: Helen, Mary, Cecilia and Theresa. She is survived by her son, Michael and wife Jolene Welch of Wichita Falls, TX; granddaughters, Jennifer and husband Rich Renner of Wichita Falls, TX and Jamie and husband Chip Wilson of Austin, TX and four great-grandchildren: Addison and Grant Renner and Kaylee and Mia Wilson. She is also survived by her sister, Lillian Shemanski and her brothers, Eddy and wife Chris Volansky and Georgie and wife Gloria Volansky as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Published in Kansas City Star on Aug. 30, 2018