Russ Jay Welch, 69, Osage, WY, died Sunday, December 16, 2007, at the Weston County Health Services in Newcastle, WY.

Russ was born April 23, 1938, at Reeder, ND, to William and Sophia (Olsen) Welch. He grew up on the family ranch and attended school in Ludlow, SD. After completing his education he worked for area ranchers shearing sheep. Russ was drafted in 1961 and served his country in Korea with the US Army. After his honorable discharge he returned home where he continued to shear and work construction.

While working in the Black Hills, he met Judi Red Bear. The couple were married at Newcastle, WY on August 5, 1968. They lived in Custer, SD, where Russ continued to work as a logger. He skidded timber with draft mules and worked his way up to feller and sawyer. The family moved to Osage in 1977 where they have since made their home. Russ continued to log and worked in the oil fields until the last 15 years when he was employed as a heavy equipment operator.

Survivors include his wife Judi Welch, Osage, WY; sons Russ Welch Jr., and Gary Spencer, all of Osage; daughter, Pamela Nicol, Lufkin, TX; brothers, Wayne and Mick Welch, Ludlow, SD, Charlie Welch, Bowman, ND; sisters, Fern Giannonatti, Bowman, ND, Dixie Smith, Ludlow, SD; also nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Don and several brothers and sisters.

Committal services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday December 21, 2007 at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Pastor Norm Brotzman officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.