I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
... Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Shirley Mae Welty
Shirley Mae Welty, 94, of Iron River, WI, passed away on September 7, 2024 at Ashland Health Services. She as born on August 15, 1930, in Washburn, WI, the daughter of Danforth and Helen (Dodge) Smith.
In 1948, she graduated from Washburn High School and later received an associate's degree in bookkeeping, from WITC, in Ashland. On February 24, 1951, Shirley married Terrill "Terry" Welty, in Washburn. For many years, she worked as the bookkeeper for Tri Lakes Timbers and also worked as a bartender, for the Spot Bar and Supper Club and the Rustic Roost, in Iron River. Shirley was very active within her community and was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, the MMC Auxiliary, the Eastern Star; where she was a past Worthy Matron, and was a past president of the Ashland Elks Does. She loved spending time on the lake and the pontoon. Through the years, Terry and Shirley spent many their time dancing and traveling. She was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Terrill "Terry" Welty; children, Jeffery (Cindy) Welty and Allyson (Nicholas) Bailen; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Jack Smith; a sister, Ellen G Wolanek; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Danforth "Dan"; brother, Colonel Dan Smith; and a grandson, Cory Michael Welty. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Frost Home for Funerals. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, in Ashland.
The family would like to give special thanks to Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center and Regional Hospice, in Ashland, for all of their wonderful care.