Eugene John Welsch was born at home on Feb. 7, 1930, to John and Alvina (Timm) Welsch. Eugene died Oct. 7, 2022, at Kinship Pointe in Seward.
Gene graduated from Crete High School in 1948. He attended UN-L Ag College. Gene served in the National Guard for two years. He was in the U.S. Army for two years, one of those was served in Korea. Eugene and Louise Martin of Lewiston were married Oct. 5, 1952. Together, they had three sons, Sam, Mark and David, and one daughter, Mary.
After Gene returned from Korea, he and Louise moved into their forever home a mile north from where he grew up. He was a lifelong farmer. Gene joined the National Farmers Organization in September 1964. He was very active in the collective bargaining organization holding numerous offices.
Gene helped start the Rural Response Hotline during the Farm Crisis in the 1980s. Along with support from Legal Aid of Nebraska, Interchurch Ministries and the Rural Response Council, the Hotline is the longest, continuously running farm hotline in the nation.
As a farmer, Gene was always active in conserving soil and water on his farms. He was an early adopter of ridge-till in the 1970s. He received a Conservation Award from the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District for his use of terraces and permanent waterways which are still in use today. In 1993, along with his son, Dave, their farms were one of the earliest in the state to become certified organic.
He could repair just about anything or would contemplate on the problem until he came up with a solution. He enjoyed serving others with his repair skills without a moment’s hesitation.
Eugene and Louise were involved for many years with FoodNet in Milford. He was actively involved in the West Blue Church from his childhood until his family joined the Milford United Methodist Church in 1968. He served on many committees at both churches.
Eugene and Louise enjoyed playing and teaching games to friends and family, especially pitch and dominos. They liked learning new games. They always looked forward to playing with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by children and spouses, Samuel Welsch and Patricia Spitzer, Lincoln, Mark Welsch and Bonnie Cosentino-Welsch, Omaha, David and Debra Welsch, and Mary and Michael Wiese, all of Milford; grandchildren and spouses, Daniel Welsch and Kristy Koeppe, Ember Welsch and Jeremy Patterson, Peter Welsch, Theresa Spitzer Smith, Al Cosentino, Benjamin and Jennifer Welsch, Rebecca and Matthew Steuk, Jillian Wiese and Karl Wiese; 12 great-grandchildren, Naomi, Matthew, Ada, Burton, Harrison, Raegan, Lincoln, Truman, Wilson, Trevin, Isaac and Madisyn; many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Eugene is preceded in death by his wife of almost 65 years, Louise (Martin) in 2018; his parents, siblings and spouses Dorathea (Robert) Cooper, Idala (Marvin) Aholt, Samuel Welsch, and Lowell (Jeanne) Welsch; nephew, John Cooper; and great-nephew, Tyler Aholt.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Milford United Methodist Church. Family will greet friends and family at 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Lunch will follow the service. A private burial will be at West Blue Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Center for People in Need, Milford FoodNet or the Milford Senior Center. Condolences may be left for the family at lauberfh.com.
