Ivan Eugene Welker

Ivan "Ike" Eugene Welker, age, 83, passed away peacefully August 16, 2011 at the Kansas City Hospice House. Ivan was born November 24, 1927 to Elmer and Lula Welker on the family farm near Braymer, Missouri. He attended the local grade school, traveling on horseback. His dad built a stall at school so Ivan could "park" his pony Spot. Always a hard worker, Ivan began plowing behind mules before is dad updated to a tractor. At age 13, Ivan's dad passed away unexpectedly; leaving Ivan to help with the farm and care for his polio-stricken brother Ralph. At age eighteen Ivan enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. There Ivan served with the military police at Sugamo Prison. One infamous prisoner, Hedeki Tojo, Prime Minister of Japan, who spoke English, talked regularly with Ivan during his tour of duty. Years later Ivan would remark with astonishment, "Here I was , a farm boy from Missouri, guarding and talking with one of the guys who started World War II." After being discharged from the army, along with Cousin Bob Whightman, Ivan traveled to Seattle where he attended Seattle University and began working as a draftsman at Boeing. He met and married Martha Seaberg in 1949. Their daughter, Linda was born in May 1953 prior to the family moving to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1957 their son Gary was born. Ivan began his career in Kansas City as a draftsman and engineer at Bendix; working for the department of Energy in the midst of the Cold War. The work was classified and Ivan often joked that he made parts "for washing machines". He was proud of his role in helping his country win the Cold War and "going from a kid who farmed behind a mule to building rockets for the United States." Ivan, with wife Martha joined South Broadland Presbyterian Church in 1956 and remained active members throughout their lives. They were passionate about golf and were members of Santa Fe and Hillcrest Country Clubs, where they met many of their life-long friends. Ivan was always active. He enjoyed hunting, fly fishing, running, tennis, bowling and golf. After retiring at the "old age" of 53, he volunteered for many local organizations. He spent many a day fishing with his family at Bennett Springs and was a member of the Missouri Trout Fisherman's Association. As a former boy scout, he was an active adult leader in Troop 74 and the Tribe-of-Micosay. Ivan was preceded in death by beloved wife Martha and grandson Morgan. In 1993 Ivan married Patricia Bellah. They enjoyed traveling, volunteering and spending time with family. Without a doubt Ivan's biggest pride, passion and joy was his family. Ivan was blessed with nine grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ivan is survived by his wife, Pat of the home; daughter Linda Russell (Hal) of Osceola, Missouri; son Gary Welker, PhD (Lisa) of prairie Village, Kansas; grandchildren Sarah, Dallas (Dawn), Max, Mia, Emma, and Jack; great-grandchildren Hallie, London, and Mason; stepsons John Bellah of Lee's Summit, Missouri and Jim Bellah (Karen) of Raymore, Missouri. Services will be held at Broadland Presbyterian Church, 79th and Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri, Saturday, August 20th at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Ludlow Gap Cemetery, near Braymer, Missouri. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kansas City Hospice House, and may be mailed to Pitts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri.