Donald C. Welsh

Donald C. Welsh, 90, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024, at home.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 17th, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be held at 12:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 18th, 2024, at St. Joseph Key West Church with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating. Entombment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery with Military honors by the Iowa Army National Guard and Ceremony of the Four Fives by the Key West Fire Department.  

Donnie was born September 15, 1933, at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, son of Clemens O. Welsh and Regina Mary (Shannon) Welsh.

Donnie graduated Loras Academy in 1951, began his work career before being drafted into the Army, and serving in the Army in Gonsenheim, Germany from 1954 – 1956.

Donnie married Margery Ann Coakley on June 22, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Church in Garryowen. 

It seemed Donnie worked with his dad at Oakland Farms Dairy from the day he could walk, and he would work at the dairy until it closed in 1972. After the closing of the dairy, Donnie began a new business, a Ziebart Franchise which he operated in Key West for the next 11 years. His next position would last until he retired, Donnie went to work in the Maintenance department at Finley Hospital.  Donnie enjoyed his time at Finley, especially all the great people he would meet and develop lasting friendships with.

Donnie served as a lay director at Mount Olivet Cemetery, he was a member of the Key West Volunteer Fire Department for many years, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He also served as a parish representative for the St Vincent DePaul society.

The most important things to Donnie over his life were his faith, his family, and his friends.  He loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren, attending games and events. Donnie’s calendar revolved around attending any, and all, children’s/grandchildren’s events he could, whether it be baseball, basketball, football, track, golf, choir, or theater. 

Donnie especially loved baseball, from his time on the Prairie League field, to Little League games, and on to High School games. Whether it was playing or watching, he just loved baseball!  The Cardinals have been his team for evermore, in recent years he would listen to any games he could find on the radio or tv.  He also loved to golf over the years, with friends and with his family.  Beyond family, Donnie and Margie had a great circle of lifelong friends with whom they created wonderful lasting memories. The one thing everyone remembers when they think about Donnie is his beautiful dancing.  He and Margie had so much fun dancing over the years any chance they had.

Donnie is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Margery. His 5 Children who will miss him dearly, Kris (Glen Haxmeier) Osweiler of Peosta; Roger (Paula) Welsh of Key West; Ann (Don Bates) Welsh, Kansas City; Michele (Jasen) Osterberger, Marion; Michael (Laure) Welsh, Argeles Sur Mer, France. 12 beloved Grandchildren, Eric (Abby Rettenberger) Osweiler, Matt (Chenoa) Osweiler, Desirae (Adam) Gillies, Lindsey (Chris) Grue, Cole Welsh, Andrea Bates, Lucas, Brady, Samuel, and Jack Osterberger, and Rose and Céline Welsh. 10 wonderful Great Grandchildren, Brayden, Grayson, Briella, and Estella Gillies, Charlotte, Hayes, and Josette Grue, Gavyn and Griffin Boen, and Claire Osweiler. Sisters, Mary Jane (Frank) Martin, Carolyn (Carl) Moyer; Brother-in-law Loras Coakley; Sister-in- law Mary Jane Coakley; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, Clem and Jean Welsh, sister and brother-in-law, Geri and Paul Ryan, father and mother-in-law Dan and Helen Coakley, brothers-in-law David Coakley and Roger Coakley, son-in-law James Osweiler, niece Cindy (Martin) Scherrman, and great-nephew Isaac Weires.

Donnie’s family would like to thank his VA nurse, Melissa Klinkkammer, for her compassion, care and support.  And Diane Stecklein and her staff at No Place Like Home, for her team’s support for Donnie over the last several months.  Donnie enjoyed all the visits from family and friends, even to a man of few words, these visits meant a lot. For the many people who joined in on his 90th Birthday audio greetings, he loved listening to the stories and well wishes, thank you!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Donnie’s honor to the building fund at St. Joseph’s Church Key West, or to support relighting of the Centennial Cross. 

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