Jean Welke, 84, of Redfield, SD, died Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. Jean was cremated and her funeral mass will be Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Cremains burial will be in St. Ann's Cemetery in Frankfort at a later date. There will be a rosary Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home; followed by a time to greet the family at 7:00 p.m. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Jean was born November 28, 1927 in Frankfort, SD to John and Nell (LaChance) Shaw. She lived and attended school in Frankfort. Jean married W. D. "Willie" Welke on August 21, 1946 in Redfield. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Five children were born to this union. They lived in Frankfort, Huron and Redfield. She worked at Red Owl and SDDC-Redfield for many years. She was a foster grandparent for ten years. Many winters were spent in California with family.

Jean is survived by her husband Willie of Eastern Star Home in Redfield and her children: David Welke of Huron, SD and children Tina and Traci; Diane (Tom) Martin of Britton, SD and children Bret, Colin and Andrew; Jack (Peggy) Welke of Redfield and children Carmen and Toni; Jill Armstrong of El Cajon, CA and children Toni and Tara; and Debbie Evans of El Cajon, CA and children Randy and Ronny; and fifteen great grandchildren: Camdin, Dominic, Cohen, Beckam, Zander, Zack, Cole, Taylor, Sidnee, Daniel, Riley, Kristin, Trevor, Tessa, Jocelyn, Austin and a great-great grandchild: James.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Mary Jane, daughter-in-law Margie (Nelson) Welke in 2005 and two sisters: Phyllis in 2010 and Peggy in 2007.