Ted Welker

Vernal Ted Welker, 79, passed away Friday, Apr. 8, 2011, at his home in St. Anthony after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.
Ted was born May 2, 1931, in St. Anthony, the son of Vernal Leroy and Lucille Berrett Welker. He attended schools in St. Anthony and later in Riggins area. He also attended Howard County Junior College in Big Springs, Texas for several semesters while enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He joined the Air Force in 1950 and was stationed at Randolph Field, Texas, as a medic and later worked in the dental clinic. He was honorably discharged in November 1953.
He moved back to St. Anthony and took a job in West Yellowstone, Mont. There he met Margene Finlinson and they were married on Nov. 17, 1956, in St. Anthony. After working various jobs, he was offered a job at the INL site (A.E.C.) working for Phillips Petroleum for 37 years, retiring in 1993.
Ted was a mechanic and was the family fix-it man. He also loved hunting, fishing and gambling at Fort Hollywood. He also spent many hours on his front porch watching cars drive by and enjoyed watching humming birds that came to his bird feeders.
He also liked to feed the squirrels that frequented his beautiful yard. He and Margene also enjoyed attending their grandchildren's many activities.
Ted is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margene of St. Anthony; children Terri (James) Beckley of Rexburg, Julie (Mike) Vickers of Sugar City, Steve (Sue) Welker, St. Anthony and Trudy (Troy) Simpson, Blackfoot; 19 grandchildren; one brother, Wayne (Teresa) Welker, and one sister, Shirley Larson, both of St. Anthony. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by an infant son Kevin Ted and a sister Donna Powell.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the St. Anthony 3rd and 4th LDS church. Friends may call at the Bidwell Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and one hour prior to the services on Wednesday. Burial will be in the Wilford Cemetery where military rites will be performed by the St. Anthony VFW and American Legion. The family would like to express their thanks to the Alliance Hospice for their excellent care and concern. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bidwellfuneralhome.com.