Dolores R. Welte

Dolores Rose Hillenbrand Welte, 93, of Evansville, was born February 24, 1925, in Evansville to the late Henry and Anna (Ziliak) Hillenbrand. She departed this life on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at the Heritage Center. Dolores was raised near St. Joseph Catholic Church in the county, attending elementary school there. As a young woman, she worked for the historic Hoosier Cardinal, one of the first injection molding companies in the United States. She married the love of her life, Ralph Joseph Welte, on October 26, 1944. He preceded her in death on June 27, 2005. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and a former member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Daylight. Her life revolved around church and family; she was a member of St. Anne Altar Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Holy Redeemer Steeple Society. She was also a member of Darmstadt Retirees. Dolores was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Nothing brought her greater joy than being with her family and sharing the joys of being a mother and grandmother with others. She was an excellent pianist and enjoyed music, dancing, and playing clabber. She was a wonderful cook and provided for her family by gardening and food preservation. Dolores loved living and being on a farm, and she and her husband Ralph worked side by side to raise animals and produce crops; she even ran her own egg route, delivering fresh eggs to “people in town.” She taught her children to pray and made quilts for every grandchild and great grandchild. Dolores was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 60 years; sister, Lillian; brothers, John, George, and Leo; granddaughters Jamie Blankenberger and Jennifer (Heuring) Combs; and great grandson Stephen Mitchell Combs. She is survived by her son, James (Jeanne) Welte of Evansville, daughters Mary (Wes) Heuring of Boonville, Judy (Steve) Blankenberger of Evansville, and Rita (Keith) Fox and Karen (Don) Gore, both of Newburgh; 12 Grandchildren, Holly (Trent) Martin, Kevin (Karla) Welte, Chris (Tracey) Welte, Carol (Keith) Mesker, Mike (Tami) Heuring, Renae (Scott) Schneider, Michelle (Dr. Charles) Wakefield, Brian (Melissa) Fox, Amy (Kevin) Lichterman, Jason (Brooke) Fox, Sarah (Matthew) Lee and Ellen (Cody) Thacker and 35 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law Doris Welte and Margaret Welte and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Rev. Jason Gries officiating. Burial will follow in St. John the Evangelist Church Cemetery in Daylight. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 7:30 PM on Monday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and on Tuesday from 9:30 AM until service time at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 918 W. Mill Road, Evansville, IN 47710 or to the Jamie M. Blankenberger Endowment Fund, 4200 N. Kentucky Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711.

Dolores R. Welte

February 24, 1925 - October 3, 2018