Gerri Welden

Geraldine ‘Gerri’ Welden, 70, of North Platte, died unexpectedly on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Gerri was born August 20, 1949, to Paul Eugene and Eileen Maurine (Sheehan) Cope in North Platte where she grew up. Gerri attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School until the 11th grade then transferred to North Platte High School where she graduated with the Class of ’67. She then worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company until the phone company moved to Omaha.

On July 5, 1968, Gerri married Lee Maynard Welden at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and they made their home in North Platte. The couple had two children, Christine and Joshua, and later raised their grandson, Seth.

Gerri had a keen eye for home improvements and worked with Paul Simonson at "The Decorator" for many years until retiring in 1986. Gerri was a painter, hung wallpaper and did interior decorating, she enjoyed making homes look their best. After retiring, Gerri liked being at home, doing her own projects, decorating for each season, and being a housewife. She also liked to garden and cooked like a chef.

Gerri was a member of the Berean Church. She was a kind person who made time to help others by volunteering and visiting people.

She leaves behind her husband, Lee, of North Platte; children, Christine (Dan) Butterfield, of Cold Creek, Colorado and Joshua Welden, of North Platte; grandkids, Seth (Callie) Welden, of Granbury, Texas, Matthew Mueller and Lyndsey (Lane) Hogeland; five great-grandkids; her mother-in-law, Lillian, Welden, and brother-in-law, Jay (Sandy) Welden, of North Platte; sisters-in-law, Donna (Wayne) Collins, of Texarkana, Texas, Lynell Welden, of Copperas Cove, Texas and Crystal (William) Stewart, of North Richland Hills, Texas; and other family.

Gerri was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Eileen Cope; and father-in-law, Donald Welden.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Berean Church with Pastor John Stone officiating.  Burial will follow in the North Platte Cemetery.  Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.  In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial in Gerri's name.