R.W. "Rocky" Welp
December 20, 2005

Romuald William "Rocky" Welp was born on February 1, 1921, at Bancroft, Iowa to Raphael Joseph and Rosella Charlotte Baltz Welp. He graduated from the St. John's Catholic School in 1938. After his schooling, Rocky worked for a time in Bancroft. Rocky served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps. He served in North Africa and Europe. Rocky was married to Marie Semon on August 7, 1945, at the St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. The couple settled in Mason City, Iowa, where Rock worked at International Harvester. They then moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, where they opened Welp Electric. Rocky and Marie moved to Estherville, where Rocky worked for Montgomery Ward. The couple moved to Fonda, where Rocky owned and operated Welp's Appliance. He retired in December of 1958.
Rocky and Marie moved to Algona in 1962 and then moved to Arizona in 1979. They moved back to Algona in 1997.
Rocky was a member of the St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. Rocky belonged to the Knights of Columbus, where he had served as Financial Secretary for 14 years. He also belonged to the Hagg-Turner American Legion Post #90 in Algona. In his younger days, Rocky enjoyed flying and owned his own airplane.
Rocky died on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. He was 84.
Rocky is survived by his wife, Marie of Algona, Iowa and his three children; Edward Welp and wife, Judy, Norfolk, Virginia, Diane Flood and husband, Craig, Bode, Iowa and James Welp and wife, Mary, Mayville, North Dakota. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 2 brothers; George Welp and wife, Barbara, Minneapolis Minnesota, Donald Welp and wife, Carole, Bancroft, Iowa and 2 sisters; Joann Vitzthum, Wesley, Iowa and Jean Hixson and husband, Donald, Des Moines, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Michael, 3 brothers, Richard, Eugene and Phil and his sister, Rosemary Wilcox.

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