Marcelline M. “Marce” Welsh, 89, of Dubuque, passed away Sunday, September 9 at Unity Point Finley Hospital, surrounded by her family. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at St. Anthony Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.

Marce was born on December 26, 1928 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Melvin and Muriel (Manderscheid) Ryan.

Marce graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Dubuque. Shortly after graduation, Marce met the love of her life, Vincent Welsh. Marce and Vincent married on April 28, 1948, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Platteville, Wisconsin. The two were blessed with 68 years of marriage before Vincent’s death on December 27, 2016.

Marce will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed being a 4H leader and also cherished any opportunity to teach her loved ones different card games, to roller skate, and the importance of family. Marce was an accomplished seamstress who enjoyed creating beautiful articles of clothing and an abundance of quilts. Each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild has received numerous sewn items over the years which will be cherished as tangible keepsakes straight from grandma’s loving hands.

Marce’s lifelong journey in her faith was exemplified through her long-time membership at St. Anthony Church and her daily prayer of the rosary. Although Marce’s 89 year earthly journey has ended, she and Vincent are dancing once again. Notably, her favorite Cubbie, Rizzo, has a new angel watching him play from the best seat in the house.

Those left to cherish Marce’s memory include her children, Kathy (Ron) Theobald of Dubuque, IA, Pauline (Matt) Winney of Eureka, CA, and Patrick (Sandi) Welsh of Dubuque, IA; her 8 grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Troxel, Irene Ryan, Janna (Miguel) Cruz, Shawnté (Marques Evans) White, Shannon (Robert) Fader, Hilarie (James Bird) Welsh, Kelsey Welsh, and Collin Welsh;

her 22 great-grandchildren;

and her brother, John (Joann) Ryan of Asbury, IA.

Marce was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Vincent Welsh; and 2 sisters, Phyllis Kass and Joan (Dale) Fritch.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marce’s name to St. Anthony Church or the organization of your choice.

Marce’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff on the 4th floor at Finley Hospital for their professional care and tender support over the last week.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com