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Jennifer Welch Obituary
Jennifer (Jenny) was born in Newberry, Michigan, on July 3, 1971. She moved to Alaska with her family in 1976. She graduated from North Pole High School in 1989 and from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Jenny met her first husband, Todd Hughes, at North Pole High School. They were married in 1992 and had two children: Chance and Destiny. After he passed away in 2011, she met and married the second love of her life, Andrew Welch. They were married on June 1, 2013, on a beautiful sunny day in Fairbanks with family and friends.
Jennifer and Andy lived at the "Owl Homestead," a beautiful property in North Pole, with two cats, and they were known as Mr. and Mrs. Owl. In the summer, they had a garden and swimming pool. In the winter, Andy used a lot of wood in the wood stove. Jennifer and Andy loved to adventure around Alaska and in the Lower 48. They would load up Andy's old van and take off camping to Tangle Lakes, the Clearwater River or the Salcha River, and other beautiful places. The last trip they took together was to Savannah, Georgia, to visit Destiny and Cameron and to Tennessee to visit Andy's family. They also enjoyed riding Andy's motorcycle together. For many years, Jennifer gathered with her family and friends for a weekend in a cabin along the Chena River to enjoy good food and time together. Jennifer had an infectious laugh, a generous spirit, a curious mind, and she loved her immediate and extended family.
Jennifer is survived by her husband, Andrew, of North Pole; son, Chance Hughes of North Pole; and daughter, Destiny (Cameron) Sutton of Jessup, Georgia. She also is survived by her parents, Arthur and Nancy Swartz of North Pole; brothers, Brad (Lana) Swartz of Delta Junction and Jeff (Kathy) Swartz of Wasilla; sister, Laurie Swartz of Fairbanks; and an aunt, Diana (Oscar) Urrea of Florida. Jennifer was close to her in-laws Terry (Karen) Welch, Victor (Nancy) Hughes, Lynette Holt, Collette (Wade) Howard and Jay (Tami) Hughes. She leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Todd Hughes, and her grandparents.
An open house and celebration of life will be held from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Swartz family home in North Pole at 3812 Sangria Ave.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jennifer Welch
4 Entries
Earnie Ray
April 24, 2023
My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories and Gods promise to return our loved ones . 1st Thessalonians 4 : 13&14.
Beth Cook
April 19, 2023
"...Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you... I loved you so- 'twas Heaven here with you." -Isla Paschal Richardson
Chris Menges
April 19, 2023
I am so sorry and will miss you, Jennifer. My heart goes out to Andrew and her family.
Mr. Owl
April 18, 2023
My bestest Owl ever....I love you so much and will miss you forever.
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