Myrle R. Welsh, 90

Published 10:35 am Friday, January 6, 2017

Myrle R. Welsh, 90

Myrle R. Welsh, 90, of Austin, Minnesota, died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, surrounded by his family at his home in Austin.

Myrle Robert was born Aug. 3, 1926, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the youngest of 13 children to William and Mabel (Lee) Welsh. He attended St. Michael Parochial High School in Grand Forks, graduated from St. James Academy, and went on to attend St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. On Sept. 17, 1949, Myrle married Patricia Ann Harvey. The couple lived in Grand Forks and Topeka, Kansas, before settling in Austin where they raised four children. For 40 years, Myrle was known as the “Bug Man.” He owned and operated Welsh Pest Control in Austin for 12 years and for the last 20 years of his career, he drove bus for Cedar Valley Services in Austin, retiring in 2013. Myrle enjoyed golf, Twins games, “Saturday breakfast,” his cats, reading, and exercising at the Senior Center. At the center of his life were his family and his deep faith in God.

Myrle is survived by his children Michael (Stacy) Welsh of Grand Forks, Susan (Michael Degan) Hancock of Owatonna, Minnesota, Mark (Nilfa) Welsh of Austin, and Mary (Steve) Holtorf of Austin; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Edward Harvey of Cincinnati, and Myrle’s beloved cat, Joey. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia in 2004; grandson, Patrick Edward Welsh; and his siblings.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin with Father Dale Tupper officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and will continue on Saturday morning for one hour prior to services at church. There will be a 6:30 p.m. parish rosary Friday evening at the funeral home. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials in Myrle’s memory may be directed to Mower County Senior Center or Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.