Betty Marlene Welch Reece
1934 – 2023
November 06, 2023, our beloved mother, wife & Oma passed away after celebrating almost 89 good years and now celebrates the loving embrace of her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
Born December 05, 1934, in Quincy Ill. to parents Virgil and Mildred Fichter who embraced her with unconditional love teaching her the love of Christ and the importance of family along with the need to learn to dance in life. As a child she enjoyed experiencing the fun in life that she continued to teach to her children, grandkids, and great grandkids that includes Grandma Reinhardt’s incredible homemade noodles and her special christmas cookies we all enjoy today, and not to forget how to thread that worm on the hook she learned fishing with her dad.
She met the love of her life, Jerry Welch in 1952 and later married that same year on Dec.23. enjoying over 50 years before his passing in 2004. They are blessed with three children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
As a devoted military wife, she learned to make each day a special day for her family, no matter where they were stationed and no matter if she had to parent alone while Jerry was away on military duty. As our mom and Oma, she was always full of energy, playing games, camping, fishing, and of course being witchy toady to the grandkids. This strong lady touched and loved so many even outside her family through being an active member of St. Matthews UMC, serving as a schoolteacher of 3 & 4 year-olds for over 20 years, a brownie and girl scout leader and so much more. She even went on in 1995 to getting her associate degree at Rose State.
In December of 2013, Marlene was blessed again with meeting her second love and marrying Herman Reece January 24, 2015, who brought such grace and love to her life.
She is survived by her husband Herman Reece. Children, Keith Welch, Linda Jenkins & Michelle Decker. Grandchildren, Keith Alan Welch, Amanda Harger, Bryan Jenkins, David Jenkins, Lauren Dile, Brandon Decker, Reagan Decker & McKennan Decker. Great grandchildren, Bailey Adkisson, & Olive Jenkins.
Enjoy your heavenly dance mom!
Services will be held Friday, December 1, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Epworth Villa, 14901 N Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73134.