Clarence "Bud" Welbig

Clarence “Bud” Welbig, 85, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at the Avera Dells Area Hospital. His Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2022 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church with the Christian Wake Service beginning at 7: 00 p.m.

Bud Welbig was born on November 7, 1936, arguably just moments before his sister Marie, to John and Margaret (Hemmer) Welbig. As young twins they made it their mission to bring lively mischief to the family farm. He attended St. Mary School, graduating in 1954. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army, serving much of his time in Alaska. He returned to the family farm to embrace his true passion of working with the land. He was swept off his feet by Colleen Connor, “the best thing that ever happened to me.” They spent many evenings together at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls. They were married on September 17, 1960 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Howard, SD.

They grew their family and their farm together west of Dell Rapids for over 40 years, raising eight children, crops and livestock. They moved to town in 1996, however Bud was unable to give up his love of the land and was unfulfilled with simply tending his lawn, so he continued his daily trips to the farm for many years. Their home in Dells became the Gathering Place for weekend meals, evening cocktails and an after school hangout for the grandkids.

He was most proud of the living legacy of his life; his wife who he gave all the credit for raising the family and his children who always amazed him in the way they were all so different. He put all of his love into the way he served the family through his labor. One of Dad’s final shares: “It’s been a great ride…unbelievable”.

Proud to have shared his life are his wife, Colleen Welbig; twin, Sister Lynn Marie Welbig; children, Dan and Diane Welbig of Dell Rapids, Barb Glazier of Dell Rapids,  Dale Welbig (1963-1983), Jim and Heidi Welbig of Dell Rapids, Debbie and Dominic Miller of Sioux Falls, Donna Weinacht of Sioux Falls, Julie and Gene Tverberg of Hendricks, Minnesota and Jane and Matt Wood of Dell Rapids; his 23 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on the way.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Welbig; his beloved son, Dale; grandson, Derrick Glazier and his siblings Leon Welbig and Louise Kriens.

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