Service Details
Monday, October 8, 2018
Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home – 4600 County Line Road, Racine, WI 53403
- Visitation – 3:30 pm to 5:45 pm
- Funeral Service – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, October 9, 2019
West Lawn Memorial Park – 9000 Washington Avenue, Mt. Pleasant, WI 53406
- Interment – 9:00 am
Memorial Suggestions
Holy Communion Lutheran Church
Mt. Pleasant – Henrietta Welch passed away at Racine Commons on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at the blessed age of 104. She was born on in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Christmas Day in 1913, the daughter of Henry and Helen (nee: Dombrowicz) Kaminski. Henrietta grew up in Chicago and then moved to Gordon, Wisconsin where her family had a farm, and on May 27, 1938 she was married to Richard Welch. He preceded her in death in 1983.
Henrietta’s life revolved around her love of the Lord, music, and education. She was a graduate of Wisconsin Teachers College-Superior; earned a Bachelor of Music from Dominican College in 1951, and Masters Degree in Music from Roosevelt University-Chicago in 1957. She began her career as an educator in the Gordon school district before moving to Racine to be a music teacher in the Racine Unified School District. She devoted 17 years at Washington Jr. High, and then 17 years at Starbuck Jr. High School until retiring in 1979. Upon her retirement the Starbuck Auditorium was renamed in her honor, and in 1994 she was inducted into the Racine Educators Hall of Fame. Henrietta was a faithful and active member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church; the Racine Area Retired Educators; Wisconsin Retired Educators; and the National Retired Educators. She was also active in the Racine Symphony Guild; and directed choirs at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Bethany Methodist Church, Atonement Lutheran Church, First Methodist Church, and Holy Communion Lutheran Church.
Henrietta is survived by her grandchildren Shelley Orzal of Hartford, Brian (Diana) Phillips of Campbellsport, Dennis Phillips of Hartford, Timothy (Cathy) Phillips of West Bend, and Lindsey (Trish) Phillips of Anderson, Indiana; great-grandchildren Christopher, Justin, Monica, Ashley, Anita, Michael, Mitchell, Alecia, Gavin, Nicholas, and Ryan; many great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law Theodora and Leonard Phillips; brothers Matthew, Wallace, and Eugene Kaminski; and sister Lucille Nortari.
Funeral Services will be held in the funeral home on Monday, October 8, 2018. All are invited to visit with her family from 3:30pm – 5:45pm. Funeral services will follow at 6:00pm with Rev. Mark Doidge and Rev. Laura Fladten officiating. Interment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park on Tuesday morning at 9:00am. Memorials to Holy Communion Lutheran Church are suggested and preferred.
James Beinke says
What a blessing to students and co-workers.
Amy Hernandez Maack says
It was a honor to teach Choir in the same classroom and hold concerts in her theatre at Starbuck Middle School for 11 years (2005-2016).
I will always remember the first time we met during my first year of teaching.
She’d witnessed (on the local cable station) a song I had taught Starbuck students to perform – a Canon – and I had done the UNFORGIVABLE. I had the students sing it in unison – ONLY.
Introductions were barely made before she made sure to let me know the Starbuck students were supposed to sing that piece as a ROUND! Lol! I will cherish that memory and the book of opera she gave me – forever!
Rest In the Arms of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, Maestra Welch!
Sue & Les Chambasian says
We extend our sympathies to Henrietta’s family and hope that fond memories will
sustain them during this sad time.
Henrietta was and will continue to be an inspiration to her former students, colleagues
as well as her many friends.
Gina Hopper says
I am so glad you were a part of my life. You will always have a special place in my heart, I will always think of you often with fond memories. I am sure you will be directing the choir in heaven.
Dorothy Mundy says
God bless the family
Gene Banucci says
Will dearly miss Henrietta as a former student and friend of 60 years. She kept music fun for me and many others at Washington Junior High and others.
Amy Kierstyn says
I’m a former student & am honored to have learned about singing in the choir from her. She was strict but fun..loved seeing her smile. She was also a customer of mine for years & it was my pleasure serving her. When I asked her if she remembered me, she said yes & I never knew if that was good or bad 😊..let the choir in heaven sing!!
Kathy (Duckworth) Heikkinen says
I am privileged to be referred to as “Mrs. Welch” by my family, as I have gone on to be a music teacher myself. I think I can still sing, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Bill & Dianne Diekhoff says
She was such a force all her life. Dianne had her in Junior High School and I knew her as a fellow teacher and friend. My son John sang with her at Starbuck. He had asked me if he had to be in choir since I was the director at Park. I said “No, not if you don’t want to.” A week later he came home saying he was in choir. When I asked him about it he said, When I was walking down the hall Mrs. Welsh came up to me and said, “Choir is at noon. Be there.” and dad you don’t say no to Mrs. Welsh. Dianne and I visited her this year and she still had comments about the music department and how she felt they should be changed. We will love her forever.
Terri Douglas - Sorg says
I had the honor of knowing this wonderful person most of my life. She taught me at Starbuck and our paths crossed throughout the years. I attended her 100th Birthday at Fountain Hills open house. Sharp as a tack, knew who I was right away and named my siblings off the top of her head. RIP Mrs. Welch and thank you for the blessings you bestowed upon us with your musical talent.
Larry and Virginia Yarck says
The world has lost a very special person.
Cathy Ynnocencio says
Wonderful teacher and mentor. My love of singing and music stems from her teachings. Thank you always Mrs. Welch. RIP
Ti.Phillips says
Sorry grandmother, with a stroke, heart surgery, shot In back. I stayed for a short time at funeral.
Tim Phillips says
Sorry grandmother, with a stroke, heart surgery, shot In back. I stayed for a short time at funeral. But your grandson will miss you!