Jeanette “Skip” Arthelia Welch, 87, went to her heavenly home Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, May 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston with Fr. Gary Derouchey officiating. Visitation will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, May 15 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery following the service. A time for fellowship and luncheon will be held following the burial at Sacred Heart Parish Hall. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@sacredheartparkston or on the local Santel Channel 910. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Jeanette Arthelia Welch, lovingly known as “Skip” was born on August 11, 1938, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Willis and Marie (Bernard) Pritchard. Skip attended Parkston High School and later continued her education at Dakota Wesleyan University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 1981. On May 11, 1959, Skip married John Lynn Welch in Parkston, South Dakota. Together, they built a life centered around family and were blessed with six children. Skip spent many years working in social services, a field that reflected her caring and dependable nature. She worked for the American Cancer Society and the Good Samaritan Society before later serving the State of South Dakota as a Home Health Coordinator. Throughout her career, she was known for her compassion, professionalism, and dedication to helping others. Skip enjoyed painting, art, crocheting, gardening, and caring for her plants. She also enjoyed Kings Corner, card games, word searches, music, and singing along to favorite songs. One of the memories her family will hold close is her making Garfield pancakes for her grandchildren in her well-loved cast iron pan. She will be remembered for her caring heart, quiet strength, and the steady presence she was to those who knew and loved her. 

She is lovingly remembered by her six children,David (Kimberly) Welch of Sioux Falls, SD, Ann (Karl) Krogman of Silverton, OR, Suzette (James) Eiesland of Sioux Falls, SD, Amy Ganley of Parkston, SD, Mary (Alan) Roth of Marshall, MN, and Karie (Andrew) Chontos of Sioux Falls, SD; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary ( Normann) Puepke of Surprise, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John L. Welch; parents, Willis and Marie; a sister, Patricia Theis; two brothers, Joseph and Michael Pritchard; and a granddaughter, Katie Ganley.