“Chet” John Welsh, 86, a well-known Hi-Line farmer, died of natural causes on Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, at Northern Montana Hospital in Havre.
Memorial services will be 2 p. m. Sunday at the Hingham Lutheran Church. A reception will follow. Private burial of ashes will be Monday at the Highland Cemetery in Havre. Born on Oct. 2, 1921, in Havre, he was one of seven children of Steve and Dora (Erdman) Welsh. Chet was raised on the family homestead south of Hingham and received his early education at the Een country school. After he graduated from Hingham High School in 1940, he began working on the family farm. Chet married a Gildford girl, Marilyn Joyce Burfield, on June 16, 1948. They made their home on the farm until 1955, when they moved into Hingham. Throughout the years, Chet traveled to and from the farm on a daily basis. He loved his life as a Montana farmer and rancher and was a loyal Hereford breeder for many years. Chet retired in 2001 at age 80. He was a longtime member of the Hingham Lutheran Church and served on the Hingham School Board for 15 or more years. He followed politics and was a staunch Democrat. Chet enjoyed watching the local news and a occasional baseball game, and was a New York Yankees fan. He also liked rodeos, especially bullriding events and the National Finals in Las Vegas. The Welshs made several memorable trips to Alaska, Hawaii and other destinations. Chet’s hobbies throughout the years included golfing, bowling, dancing and playing pool. He was an avid reader who enjoyed Montana histories and Louis L’Amour westerns. He also liked to play cards, especially pinochle and whist. The Welshs enjoyed attending events at the Hi-Line schools. He was preceded in death by his parent; an infant daughter; and four siblings, Clara Wise, Clarence Welsh, Doris Moss, and Walter Welsh. Chet is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn Welsh of Hingham; his daughter, Linda (Aaron) Boehm of Rudyard; three grandchildren, five greatgrandchildren; sister, Alyce Woolway of Bakersfield, Calif.; brother, Orville Welsh of Havre; two sisters-in-law, Doris Ludwig of Conrad and Luella Welsh of Great Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews. Undesignated memorials will be given to the Rudyard Ambulance. Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester
