Donald Welper

Donald L. Welper, 82, of Waukon died Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, April 2 at 11 a.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of services Wednesday, April 2 at the funeral home.
Donald LaVern Welper was born January 15, 1932 on his parents' farm in rural Dorchester, the son of Walter and Blanche (Collins) Welper. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1950. Don worked for area farmers before entering the U.S. Army, where he served from 1951 until 1954 during the Korean War.
May 1, 1954 he married Evelyn McCormick at St. Pius Catholic Church at Cherry Mound in rural Harpers Ferry. In 1955 they moved to a farm near Churchtown where they did general farming. Don and Evelyn retired and moved to Waukon in 2003. Don has been a resident at Northgate Care Center since October of 2013.
He enjoyed snowmobiling, working in his shop where he did mechanical work and woodworking. Don also enjoyed spending time on the Mississippi River on his houseboat and fishing. His favorite times were when he was spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn of Waukon; his children, Steve (Becky) of Waukon, Karen (Daryl) Beneke of New Albin, Rick (Carol) of Lansing, Bob (Dee) of Jefferson, WI and Ron (Debbie) of Shallowater, TX; 12 grandchildren: Aaron (Stephanie) Welper, Kimberly (Scott) Oder, Emily Welper, Dan Beneke, Andy (Britney) Beneke, Mary (Josh) Boots, Morgan (Nathan) Kliebenstein, Cory, Matthew and Ashley Welper, and Calvin and Colin Welper; eight great-grandchildren, Katie Welper, Maggie and McKinley Rostvold, Joseph Oder, Maya and Kason Beneke, Charolette Boots and Evelyn Kliebenstein.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Joseph; a daughter, Kathleen Welper; two brothers, Merle and Harold Welper; a sister, Shirley Ryan; and his father- and mother-in-law, Jim and Helen McCormick.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.