Patricia Ann Welker, 85, of Festus died July 16, 2024, at her home. Mrs. Welker grew up in Jackson and attended Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri in Columbia. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal City. In her younger years, she taught Sunday school, helped with Bible school and later served on the financial board. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge and watching sports. She also enjoyed summer flowers, needlework and was an avid sewer. She often made clothing for herself, her daughters and granddaughters. Most of all, she loved spending time with family. She was known as “Nana,” not only to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren but to all who knew her. Born March 9, 1939, in Cape Girardeau, she was the daughter of the late Ruth (Desselman) and Clarence Brennecke.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years: Allen S. Welker; two daughters: Elizabeth Lee “Lisa” (the late Rick) Schnurr of Festus and Julia “Annette” (Mike) Ellenberger of Festus; a sister: Jane (Dr. Joe) Hecker of Collierville, Tenn.; five grandchildren: Sarah (John) Stroer, Johnathan (Janel) Schnurr, Kristen (Zach) Vaugh, Adam (Kaila) Mikesch and Jacob Ellenberger; and nine great-grandchildren: Leabella Stroer, Jayden, Jansen and Jaxten Schnurr, Welker and Grey Vaugh, Kyler, Kaden and Ava Mikesch.
She was preceded in death by a great-grandson: Welker.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 221 Brierton Lane, in Crystal City, officiated by the Rev. Kyle Castens. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or Lutheran Indian Ministries. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.