Mary Louise (Rolfes) Welch, 73, of Calmar, passed away April 14th, 2026, at Barthell Eastern Star in Decorah, Ia. from Dementia.

To honor Mary’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. A private family burial will take place later in the Calmar Community Cemetery, Calmar, IA.

Cards or memorials may be sent to the family at: PO Box 458, Calmar, Iowa 52132.

Mary was born on June 22, 1952, in New Hampton, Iowa, to Arthur and Lillian (Stika) Rolfes. At this time, they lived in Protivin, IA, and later moved to Calmar, IA, where Mary grew up.

Mary attended St. Aloysius Catholic School in Calmar and graduated from South Winneshiek High School, Calmar, in 1970. Mary enrolled and graduated from the Secretarial Program at Area One Technical College in 1971. This tech school was later known as NICC. Mary worked for the college for a brief time before moving to Dubuque, Iowa. Mary then worked for the Iowa Department of Human Services in Dubuque and later transferred to the Human Services Offices in Decorah, Iowa (Winneshiek County). Mary retired from Human Services after 38 years.

While in Dubuque, Mary met her first husband, Dave Osborne. They later divorced.

Mary met her second husband, Tom Welch, at a bar/restaurant in Dubuque called “Mario’s. Mary and Tom were married on May 26th, 1989, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Dubuque. Tom was widowed and had two children, Carey and Matt, whom Mary and Tom raised together.

In the 1990’s, Mary and Tom moved to Calmar, Iowa. They owned and operated an antique shop called “Whistlestop Antiques” in Calmar. This shop was Mary’s dad's former jewelry store, “Rolfes Jewelry.” This building meant a lot to Mary since she lived in the apartment above this store with her parents and Grandma Mary Louise Stika as a child. Later, Mary and Tom moved their business to the old Train Station Depot Building, where they sold their antiques, operated the Calmar Welcome Center, and also ran the town's museum. Mary and Tom were members of the Calmar Commercial Club for many years.

Mary and Tom had an antique booth at New Generations of Harmony Antique Mall, in Harmony Mn for well over 15 years and thank Erica Thilges, the manager for her support of their business.

Mary enjoyed local auctions and visiting with fellow antique dealers and was known for helping several of the auctioneers with prices and the history of items.

Mary loved books and reading from an early age and was an avid reader. She was a book club member in Calmar for many years and enjoyed the friendship of this group.

Mary authored an article for the “Calmar Courier,” called “Yesterday’s News,” which had local news stories from years past.

Mary was a 30-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 266 in Calmar and served on the membership committee and served as auditor. She was proud to be a member, honoring her dad, who was a WWII Veteran.

Mary loved her little dog, Bailey, who was a Westie and was bought for her by Tom. She had a large and unique collection of West Highland Terrier items, of which she was proud.

While in Dubuque, Mary was an “Extra” actress in the movie F.I.S.T., starring the famous Sylvester Stallone, in the summer of 1977.

Mary loved old movies, and the TCM TV channel, Turner Classic Movies, was her favorite. Tom even kidded her that TCM stood for “The Channel of Mary.” Mary also enjoyed British TV shows and movies. When it came to music, Jazz was her favorite, especially pianist and singer, Diana Krall, whom she and Tom saw in concert.

Mary was delighted to hear what her granddaughter, Simone, was up to in New York. She would send thoughtful cards and packages, always signing off with XOXO, Gram Welch, the nickname Simone had given to her doting Grandma.

Mary will be deeply missed by her family, and may God Bless her.

Mary is survived by her Stepchildren, Carey Welch (Tom Phillips), Ellicottville, NY, and Matthew Welch, Dubuque, Iowa. Grand-daughter, Simone Phillips. Sister and brother-in-law, Annette and Scott Evenson, Harmony, MN, and Brother, David Rolfes, Calmar, IA. Brothers-in-law, Jerome (Jerry) and Nan Welch, Dubuque Ia. and Patrick (Pat) Welch, Florida. Sister-in-law, Maureen (Welch), and Gene Wagner, California, as well as special cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Mary in death were, her husband, Tom Welch, Parents, Arthur and Lillian (Stika) Rolfes, Mother and Father-in-law, Oswald and Madeline Welch, Brothers and Sister-in-laws, John (Jack) and Mary Welch, Lois Welch (wife of Patrick Welch) and James and Marcia Welch and her grandparents, Frank and Mary (Sindelar) Stika and Michael and Frances (Sabelka) Rolfes.

Thank you to Wellington Place, Decorah, IA, for their care while Mary was a resident there. More recently, our sincere thank you to the entire staff at Barthell Eastern Star in Decorah for the comforting care and kindness provided for Mary over the past one ½ years. Thank you to Dr. Menke, Heather Levinson, and all other doctors, therapists, and nurses from Winn Med, Decorah. Warm and special thanks to Winn Med Hospice, who provided comfort to Mary.