Tommie Welker

Tommie D. Welker, 95, of Keokuk, Iowa and formerly of Wayland, passed away peacefully at 10:56 am on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at River Hills Village in Keokuk, Iowa.

She was born on December 27, 1927, in Shelbyville, the only child of Thomas & Gladys L. (Copenhaver) Latimer. After she graduated from high school, Tommie worked at the farm store in Williamstown where she met Floyd Welker. Tommie and Floyd were married on February 2, 1947, and they enjoyed 34 years of marriage until Floyd passed away suddenly on April 30, 1981.

Tommie and Floyd lived on a farm for most of their married years and she loved that way of life. She pitched in when help was needed, grew a large garden, and cooked for anyone that sat at her kitchen table. Tommie loved her family and enjoyed holiday gatherings. She looked forward to all the teasing and “rippity” that ensued at family dinners. She enjoyed laughing and being surrounded by her loved ones, especially her boys.

Tommie was very steady in her faith. Even though she had suffered great loss in her life, her faith made her a strong woman. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wayland since she was 29 years old. Tommie was an accomplished pianist and organist and played for many different occasions including worship services, wedding ceremonies and funeral services. She was a music teacher for grades K – 12 at Kara Baptist Academy in Alexandria for many years. Tommie also privately taught students to play the piano and enjoyed reconnecting with her previous students in the later years of her life.

She is survived by two sons; Merle (Susan) Welker of Keokuk, Iowa, and Chad Welker of Rushville, Illinois, daughter in-law Brenda Welker of Canton, six grandchildren; Brian Welker, Chris (Krista) Davis, Brad Welker, Megan Welker, Mitchell (Katie) Welker and Heather Land, six great grandchildren; Allison Welker, Issac & Zachary Welker, Logan Parriott, Wyatt Barnes & Christian Knowel, and by several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Tommie was preceded in death by a son; Dale Welker, a daughter; DeeAnn Davis and by a great granddaughter; Shelby Welker.

Funeral services honoring Tommie’s life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home of Kahoka. Pastor Dan Fox will officiate. Interment will follow in the Ballard Cemetery in Williamstown, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of services at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in memory of Tommie are suggested to EveryStep Hospice of Mount Pleasant. You are invited to share your memories of Tommie and leave a condolence at www.wilsontriplett.com