Jean N. Welch, 89, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, formerly of Waterloo, died at the Elizabeth E. Martin Health Center of Western Home Communities on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, of natural causes.

Jean Nielsen was born February 28, 1919, in Cedar Falls, the daughter of Jens and Kathrine Bonnicksen Nielsen. She graduated from Price Lab High School and then attended Iowa State Teachers College.

She married Lowell A. Welch on November 22, 1946, in Cedar Falls; he died August 26, 1997.

Jean worked in the office at John Deere for 30 years.

She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star #128, American Legion Auxiliary, Waterloo Elkets, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Jean is survived by daughter Marlys Kellogg and her husband Roderick of Burlington, Iowa; grandson Lowell Kellogg and his wife Julia of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, granddaughter Kathrine Kanneman and her husband Arthur of Cabot, Arkansas, great granddaughter Marlys Marie Kanneman of Cabot, Arkansas, brother Merlin “Smitty” Nielsen and his wife Caryl of Cedar Falls, two sisters-in-law: Francis Nielsen of Cedar Falls and Ida Nielsen of Whitefish, Montana.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers Leonard Nielsen and Roger Nielsen.