Obituary of Dolores "Dolly" Fries Welch

Dolores “Dolly” Fries Welch, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, left this world on Saturday, June 4 at age 91 years old.   She was surrounded in love by her family.    Now heaven is more organized; everything is in its place, instructions have been left for future arrivals and all have been included.  No questions need to be asked as the manual is written in great detail.   It’s the way Dolly did everything in her life; completely, fully, and as well as she was able.

She was born April 2, 1931 in Crookston, MN to Joseph and Fern Fries, the second eldest in a family of 8 children.  She grew up in Crookston, graduated with honors from Cathedral High School and moved to Minneapolis to attend Minneapolis Business College.   A short-lived marriage to Robert O. Welch produced two cherished sons, Scott and Mark.

Dolly lived the majority of her adult life in St. Louis Park, MN, where she raised her sons.   Raising two men of integrity and having a close relationship with them was her greatest blessing.   She had a rewarding administrative career spanning 43 years with Coca Cola USA’s Marketing Division.   Her work ethic was a model for everyone.

She was an avid reader, loved to sing and did so in several choral groups and choirs.   She also enjoyed her card games, gardening, and the theatre; and after retiring, travel and volunteer work at Methodist Hospital.

She owned a retirement home in Gold Canyon, AZ for 17 years where she spent the winter months enjoying wonderful friendships, the beauty of the desert and the Superstition Mountains.

Dolly’s philosophy of life can best be summarized in the follow Pueblo Indian Blessing:

From seeds we sprout and blossom.

We give forth our fruit, then go on until life ends.

That’s how it has always been.

Endure the storms, thrive in the sun, breathe deeply and be grateful for your life.

  Author:  Maria Tayoumana

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Fern Fries; the father of her sons, Robert Welch; her long-time friend and companion “Penny” Pennsinger; her sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Earl Wilkens; brother and sister-in-law Joe and Marylee Fries; brother Ron and sister-in-law Conny Fries; and brother-in-laws George Deckon, Robert Sullivan and Vern Ruwwe.

Dolly is survived by many family members who loved and supported her throughout her life:  sons, Scott (Cheryl) and Mark (Margo); grandchildren, Jonathan (Cam), Justin (Ariel), Kevin (Haley), and Morgan Welch; step grandchildren, Sheilah Gilleland, Shannon Olson and Tom (Lisa) Ramlet; great granddaughter Tenley Dolores, and a second great grandchild, "Baby Welch" on the way; brothers and sisters, Valerie Ruwwe and Linda Deckon, Gregg (Georgine) and Jim (Mary) Fries; 9 step great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and their families.

God blessed her with a loving and caring heart which she embraced in her family and to everyone she knew.   She was there for us when we needed her.   She will be greatly missed and we will hold her in our hearts forever.

Memorial Service and celebration of Dolly’s life will be held on Thursday, June 16 @ 11 am with visitation one hour before the service at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Avenue, Edina, MN  55435, 952-924-4100.  Lunch reception to follow.   Private family burial at Lakewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please add random acts of kindness to your life.