Shelly Welsch (Graham)

Shelly Renee Welsch (Graham), 69, of Loveland, Colorado, passed away peacefully in her home on April 17, 2025. A memorial service will take place at Viegut Funeral Home on May 2, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Born in Wadena, Minnesota, on January 28, 1956, Shelly spent her younger years crisscrossing the US as her father worked for the Continental Telephone Company upgrading telephones systems from switchboards to the latest and greatest technology at the time, rotary dial. Her family settled in Burlington, Washington as she entered her elementary years. Shelly quickly grew to love the beautiful mountains, rain and ocean beaches. She often reminisced about some of her favorite spots, Deception Pass and Chuckanut Drive, both of which had amazing views of the water. 

After high school, Shelly left for the big city of Seattle. She had a little apartment on Queen Anne Hill, overlooking downtown and the Space Needle.  

However, her time in the city didn’t last long as Shelly moved on to her next adventure, leaving the mountains and ocean for the farms and prairies of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. There she met Stan Welsch and together they had three children, Kristin, Dustin and Jessica. Shelly spent the next eighteen years working various jobs while shuttling her children to different sporting events and activities. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and was dedicated to raising her children in the Christian faith.  Although it was very different from Washington, Shelly grew to love the sunsets, thunderstorms and fall harvests in Nebraska. 

The late 90’s and early 2000’s brought some challenges and new opportunities as Shelly decided to leave Nebraska for the Front Range in Colorado. There she found a job as a transcriptionist for US Reports (later renamed Affirm) and worked with the company for almost twenty years. Somehow, she also found time to finish her Associates Degree at Aims Community College. 

Fueled by her love of crafts (especially quilting) Shelly also worked part time at Joann Crafts for many years. She loved to sew and was an incredibly talented seamstress, making many beautiful quilts for her children, relatives and other special people in her life.  Every Christmas, her children could expect multiple pairs of pajama pants and were always excited to learn what designs she picked that year. Shelly put thought and love into each gift. 

When she wasn’t working or sewing, Shelly loved spending time with her children and visiting the Oregon Coast. In early 2025, she was thrilled to meet her granddaughter Isla, who shares her same birthday.

Shelly was preceded in death by her mother Lilllian Graham (Stoltz) and father Calvin Graham. She is survived by her children, Kristin Flower (Karl), Dustin Welsch and Jessica Stuckey (Joel), and her granddaughter Isla. 

Shelly will be remembered for her kindness, faith, and love for her family.  She made many dear friends during her time in Nebraska and Colorado and will be greatly missed. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary in Washburn,Missouri. https://www.havenoftheozarks.org/donate

Friends and family are invited to Viegut Funeral Home on May 2, 2025, at 10 a.m. to reminisce and celebrate Shelly’s life and influence.