Lynn Welker

On a beautiful winter evening, Arland “Lynn” Welker surrendered his mortal body and soared up to heaven. He was in his home surrounded by his loving and devoted wife and children. January 31, 2025, marked the finish line of Lynn’s long and determined battle with cancer.

Lynn lived a valiant life that was a testament to his love of family, missionary work, temples, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Lynn was born on August 3, 1938, to loving parents Samuel Jay and Bertha Muir Welker in Rexburg, Idaho. He spent his growing up years in Idaho Falls, Idaho, fishing, swimming, skiing, golfing, shooting B-B Guns, and playing softball, basketball, and baseball. 

He had many tender moments in his life where heaven reached out and whispered encouragement and inspired direction. Several pivotal points in his life were influenced by faithful mortal angels who reached down and lifted Lynn to greater heights. He has worn out his life paying it forward… lifting and ministering to all in his sphere of influence. 

He faithfully served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States Mission 1958-1960. He was a BYU blue Cougar through and through, graduating from BYU in 1964 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a minor in English. In 1972, he added a splash of red when he graduated from the University of Utah where he earned his Master’s Degree in Social Work. He devoted his professional life to caring for the people he loved through the Seminary/ Indian Placement Program and LDS Family Services.

Lynn was devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Gathering Israel with all of his heart, might, mind, and strength. With fervent missionary zeal, Lynn and Ann served four full-time senior missions together: California, San Diego, Mormon Battalion Visitors Center; New Mexico, Farmington; New York, Palmyra Temple; and in the Logan YSA 6th Stake. They also served countless hours and years together in the Logan Temple as Baptistry Coordinators, ordinance workers and devoted patrons. Dad could often be found in the middle of the night when he couldn’t sleep on Family Search, indexing or researching family names for the temple. 

Lynn cared little for titles, possessions, and the “things” of this world. He found his greatest JOY in sharing life with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He championed his children in all of their dreams. His devoted check-in phone calls, letters and texts to family will be dearly missed by all. His classic query “what can I do for you? Sure do love you!” was his mantra. Family Prayer was really important to Dad. After gathering together, before the first family would leave, he always said, “Let’s kneel and have a prayer before you leave”.

Dad’s raspberry patch and garden were legendary. They provided so much sweet JOY to his children, grandchildren, and many neighbors/friends. He loved taking his grandchildren to the temple often to do baptisms and then always for ice cream after. For his birthday, he requested we all attend the temple and take a selfie outside the temple and send it to him. 

Dad taught us as young children the value of integrity and industry through his working beside us at early morning janitorial jobs, snow shoveling jobs and, in our home, and yard. He never wanted to steal even a paperclip from his employer. He always modeled for us honesty with our employer and to never receive pay for hours that we hadn’t worked. He valued thrift and labored beside his kids for many years clearing the Powder Mountain ski slopes to earn free ski passes. He loved paying his tithes and offerings and often shared with us the riches of life he had enjoyed by faithfully giving offerings to the Lord. 

Lynn believed in serving his country and community. He served as a Nibley City Council member for 3 terms and as Mayor of Nibley for one term. 

Dad was a determined soul. He enjoyed many hikes and road trips with his family. His actions showed in life and in death what it meant to endure to the end. He humbly recognized he was a “work in progress” and had many shortcomings which he was repenting and striving to overcome. We learned the word “dagnabbit” and a few other colorful words from him. In his senior years, Dad had an especially quirky sense of humor that influenced all of his conversations. (Grandson Cam’s recent phone call where Dad/Grandpa answered, “Anderson Mortuary, how may I help you?”)

Dad has been the self-assigned greeter at Sacrament Meeting. He always made it a point to arrive early and greet all with a warm, friendly smile, handshake, and chat. He has always been one to notice the lost and forgotten and to minister to them. The impact of his remarkable life cannot be measured. 

He will be missed by his golfing buddies who have reminded him “the course of the Lord is one eternal round” (and they hope he will save them a tee time on a beautiful golf course in heaven). 

Heartfelt thanks to all at Huntsman Cancer Institute for their loving and professional care. They provided much comfort and kindness to Lynn and his family.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jay LaVar Welker. He is survived by his wife Ann (Oler), children Wendy (Kevin) Jensen, Janée Roper, Linda (Dan) Pontius, Glade, Ken (Emma), Dave (Michelle), Nate (Kendal) Erin and Sharon Eskeets Hall; his sister Ann Bird and his 35 grandchildren and 12 1/2 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Friday evening, February 7, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the White Pine Funeral Home located at 753 South 100 East Logan, Utah 84321.  Funeral services to honor and celebrate the life of Lynn Welker will be at 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 130 West 2600 South, Nibley, UT 84321.  An additional viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 10:30 - 11:30 am at the church. The interment will be at the Mendon City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aide fund or Missionary fund.

Lynn's funeral service can be viewed via Zoom at: CLICK HERE TO WATCH SERVICE VIA ZOOM