Welsh, Esther M.

Esther M. Welsh, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include her children, Charles Farley of Cedar Rapids, Dale Farley of San Fernando, Philippines, Douglas (Sunshine) Farley of McGregor, Van (Christine) Farley and Denny (Peggy) Farley, both of Cedar Rapids, Sharon Kirby of Marion and Vickie (Charles) Clute of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a brother, Marvin Toothaker of Fenton, Mo.; and her stepchildren, Gertrude, Karen, Evelyn, Joan, Maude and Gerald.

Also surviving are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Raphael Farley and Gerald Welsh; grandsons, David and Mark Farley; son-in-law, Don Kirby; brother, Albert Toothaker; and sisters, Florence Miller, Maudelle Van Sickle and Ruby Schoffner, all from Missouri.

Esther was born Dec. 24, 1918, in Macon County, Mo., the daughter of Andrew and Mary Massey Toothaker. She married Raphael Farley on Jan. 18, 1936, in Jacksonville, Mo. They later divorced. She then married Gerald Monroe Welsh on March 24, 1961, in Solon, Iowa. Esther was employed at Wilson's Foods in Cedar Rapids. She enjoyed quilting and made a quilt for all of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, taking care of the lawn, road trips, reading and word puzzles. Esther was a kind hearted loving person, always helping people. She was a great cook and loved spending time with her family. She was a friend to all and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

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Published in The Gazette Aug. 7, 2013.