Obituary: Mary Ann Welch
Author: Family of Mary Ann Welch
Mary Ann (Olsen) Welch
December 11, 1948 – August 19, 2025
Mary Ann (Olsen) Welch passed away peacefully at her home in Townsend, Montana, on August 19, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
In her final days, she was surrounded by the love of family and friends and received compassionate care from the dedicated teams at St. Peter’s oncology and hospice departments.
Born in Helena on December 11, 1948, as the youngest of seven children, Mary spent her early years in the small railroad town of Blossberg. At age eleven, her family relocated to Townsend, where she graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1966. Mary traveled the world, living in and visiting many different countries throughout Europe, before returning to Broadwater County, to build a family and a home.
In 1974, Mary and Gordon Welch, the love of her life, were married. Together, they built a blended family filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos. Their greatest joys came with the largest gatherings in their home, watching their children, grandchildren, and friends spend time together. Everyone who attended can remember eating, laughing, eating, playing games, eating, and loving one another.
Mary loved to cook, and she was one of the best. Not only could she plan and prepare the largest Thanksgiving meal every year, without a hitch, she could prepare a full family meal with whatever she found in the fridge and the cupboards. No one ever left her house hungry, but they often left asking for a recipe. During Thanksgiving, Mary’s favorite holiday, the house was often bursting at the seams. Her most recent celebration included forty-seven family members gathered around the table.
She was always on the move, especially when it meant spending time with family. Whether it was a spontaneous road trip, a flight to a new destination, a theme park adventure, or a fishing trip, Mary was all in. For years, she loved running 5k races throughout the state with Gordon and anyone they could convince to join them.
They were loving and supportive of their children and grandchildren and would always offer a helping hand when needed. Their proudest accomplishment was their family, which is evident in the relationships built on their foundation of love.
After 51 years together, Mary spent only twenty days on earth while Gordon prepared their path to be reunited.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Jo and Elmer Olsen; and her siblings, Annette Lee Swisher, Roy Olsen, Ada Martin, and Donna Martin.
Mary loved and was extremely proud of her four children: Delbert (Shauna) Henry, Randy (Jami) Welch, Elizabeth (Eli) Clarkson, and Greg (Clare) Welch. She also cherished her blended family which included Gordon’s older children: Shane Welch, Wade (Mary Lou) Welch, Melanie (Kevin) Kimmel, and Marnie Welch (Doug Heiser). She is survived by her brothers, Bill Olsen and Gary Olsen, and a large and loving circle of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a service to honor Mary’s life on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Townsend, Montana. Following the service, there will be a graveside dedication and a luncheon back at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Townsend LDS Church, whose support has been deeply appreciated during this time, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 30, 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Townsend, Montana
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday August 30, 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Townsend, Montana
Burial
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Saturday August 30, 2025
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana
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PhotoCredit: Family of Mary Ann Welch
Image 1 Caption: Mary Ann Welch
