Alice M. Wellen, age 95 of Highland, IL, died Thursday, December 19, 2024, at San Gabriel Memory Care in Highland, IL.
She was born on Sunday, December 8, 1929, in Bartelso, IL, the daughter of George and Lucy (nee Meyer) Beckmann.
On Tuesday, October 17, 1950, she married John A. Wellen on October 17, 1950, who passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2014.
She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Quilting Circle, Auxiliary to VFW Post 5694; former member of Madison County Home Extension-Marine Circle for 20 years, and Adoration Society at St. Joseph Hospital.
Alice was born and raised on a farm in Bartelso, Illinois with (7) siblings. At age 14, she went to work at Mother of Good Counsel (a senior home in St. Louis where they hired young girls and gave them room and board. Then she worked at a shoe factory and a garment factory.
When she was first married, she worked at Basler Electric. When John was drafted to the Korean War, She followed him to boot camp and then later, lived with her sister and brother-in-law. After the war, they started a family that grew to seven children.
She wasn’t the conventional housewife of the times in that she enjoyed working with John in farming and house building. She handled all of the finances, designing, and paperwork as well as her share of the physical labor.
A lot of Highlanders will remember her dedication to detail on Wellen-built houses. She worked into her 80’s with her sons on houses as well as helping all of her children with many home projects.
She was a member of St. Paul Church since 1950. She enjoyed embroidering and quilting and was a member for many years of the St. Paul quilting ladies. Her quilts probably number into the hundreds.
She enjoyed taking trips and even got to go to Tunica and Las Vegas for her 90th birthday. She would always say that she wasn’t lucky, but we all knew how lucky we were to have her in our lives.
Survivors include:
- Daughter – Linda L. (Steven) Heimsath, Pocahontas, IL
- Son – Mark J. (Tamra) Wellen, Highland, IL
- Son – Larry G. (Mary Ann) Wellen, Highland, IL
- Daughter – Mary Rose (Dan) Hogan, Springfield, IL
- Daughter – Lisa M. (Joseph) Brinker, Highland, IL
- Son – Scott J. (Tracy) Wellen, Highland, IL
- Son – Jon N. (Teresa) Wellen, Highland, IL
- Grandchild – Kenny S. (Cynthia) Heimsath
- Grandchild – Amber E. (Stan) Krzystyniak
- Grandchild – Anthony J. “Tony” (Significant Other Ashley Zurliene) Heimsath
- Grandchild – Kyle T. Heimsath
- Grandchild – Corey A. Heimsath
- Grandchild – Michael J. Wellen
- Grandchild – Ashely N. (Cameron) Singler
- Grandchild – Laura E. (Zach) Knebel
- Grandchild – Joe D. Wellen
- Grandchild – Danielle R. (David) Snediger
- Grandchild – Allison A. “Allie” (Ian) McDonald
- Grandchild – Nicole C. “Nikki” (Fiance Ryan Pendleton) Hogan
- Grandchild – Hunter T. (Julie) Hogan
- Grandchild – Katelyn R. “Katie” Brinker
- Grandchild – Rory J. Brinker
- Grandchild – Grant S. Brinker
- Grandchild – Kelsey L. (Brandon) Frerker
- Grandchild – Zach S. Wellen
- Grandchild – Blake A. Wellen
- Grandchild – Brittani S. Wellen
- Grandchild – Olivia D. (Colton) Burleson
- Grandchild – Haylee (Casey) Province
- Grandchild – Vanessa Wellen
- Grandchild – Nicholas Wellen
- Grandchild – Brenten Schneck
- Grandchild – Breana (Josh) Jackson
- Grandchild – Baylee Schneck
- Grandchild – Eric J. Lengermann
- Great Grandchild – Numerous
- Sister – Lucille Loepker, Breese, IL
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Dolores Talleur, Highland, IL
- Brother-In-Law – Jerry Sparlin, Highland, IL
She was preceded in death by:
- Father – George H. Beckmann died 2/6/1984
- Mother – Lucy Mathilda Beckmann nee Meyer
- Husband – John A. Wellen died 7/17/2014
- Son – Terance Joseph Wellen at 7 days old
- Sister – Eleanor Lengermann died 2013
- Sister – Rita Hemker died 2008
- Sister – Dorothy Pollman, Carlyle, IL
- Brother – Alvin Beckmann, Bartelso, IL
- Brother – William Beckmann died 2006
- Brother – Frank Beckmann died 2003
- Brother-In-Law – George H. Wellen died 3/30/2010
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Bernice Richter died 9/23/2013
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Rosemary Meyer, Highland, IL
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Bernadette C. Sparlin died 1/12/2014
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Theresa Caroll died 8/12/1975
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Bernice (Mrs. George) Wellen, Highland, IL
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Bernice (Mrs. Aloysius) Wellen, Highland, IL
- Brother-In-Law – Aloysius “Al” Wellen died 4/30/2008
- Brother-In-Law – Virgil Richter
- Brother-In-Law – Norman Meyer
- Brother-In-Law – Emmett Caroll, Keysport, IL
- Brother-In-Law – Alphonse Pollman
- Brother-In-Law – Wendell Loepker
- Brother-In-Law – Vince Hemker
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Frances Beckmann
- Sister-In-Law and Spouse – Christine Beckmann, Germantown, IL
- Brother-In-Law – Tony Lengermann, Highland, IL
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL.
Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL, with Father Pat G. Jakel, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul School Educational Foundation.
