Mary Lu Welsh passed away on February 26, 2025.  She was born March 24, 1934, in Clinton, Iowa.  After graduating from St. Catherine's University in St. Paul, Minnesota, she joined the Army, achieving the rank of Lieutenant, and becoming a physical therapist.  More importantly, while there she met and fell in love with her future husband, Ian Paul Welsh.  They married in August of 1957, and quickly got to work building a family of eight kids, including two sets of twins.

Mary Lu's love for sports, especially women's basketball, started with her playing high school basketball in Iowa.  She generously shared her laughter, advice, and smiles with her extended family and their many friends.  She was undefeated in "Scrabble" successfully warding off every challenge to her extensive and esoteric vocabulary.  Her love of conversation revealed her unique talent to passionately argue every side of an issue at the same time.

Mary Lu's husband, Ian, preceded her in his death.  She is survived by her children:  Mary (Jim McAteer), Bob (Joanne) Welsh, Ian (Christa) Welsh, Brian Welsh, Katie (Rob Kluger), Sean (Carla) Welsh, Colin (Carrie) Welsh, and Stephen (Michele) Welsh; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren dispersed around the world; her sister, Susan Bennett, and brother, Joe (Jeanne) Dwyer.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:30 AM at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home, 222 North 10th Street, Richmond, IN 47375.  A short graveside service will follow at St. Andrews Cemetery, 1701 Liberty Ave., Richmond, IN 47374, at 1 PM. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com.