Leon Welsh

Leon Allen Welsh was born February 5, 1950 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Leon Welsh and Goldie Clinton. He was raised and schooled in Michigan. In 1968 Leon enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Leon fought in forty-seven battles and received two Army commendations for valor. Later Leon served in Germany. Following his discharge from the Army in 1970 Leon began working for Franklin Manufacturing in St. Cloud, MN. While working there he met Nona Toeben. On April 5, 1975 Leon and Nona were united in marriage in Freeport, MN. The couple lived in St. Cloud for two years before making their home in Alexandria, MN. They were blessed with four children, Amy, Shawn, Tim and Chad. Leon worked as a driver for several trucking firms in the area. In 1987 Leon was disabled with back injuries. Leon was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles. Before his disability Leon enjoyed working on cars. He was a fan of NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt. Leon was also a Minnesota Vikings fan and he enjoyed watching movies. On Saturday, September 19, 2009 Leon died at the age of fifty-nine years. He is survived by his wife, Nona of Alexandria; four children, Amy and husband, Terry Schultze, of Fairmont, MN, Shawn and wife, Tabitha Welsh, of Tampa, FL, Tim Welsh of Alexandria and Chad Welsh of Alexandria; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Schultze and Harper Welsh; and several brothers and sisters from Missouri and Michigan. His good friends, Michael and Kathy Baudrau of Alexandria, also survive Leon. His parents preceded Leon in death. A funeral service will be held 11 AM Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Re. Fr. Steve Binsfeld will officiate. Laurie Youngers will provide music. Interment will follow in St. Mary?s Cemetery in Alexandria. Honorary pallbearers include all of Leon?s children. American Legion Post 87 and VFW Post 936 will accord military honors. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home.