Pius Welk

Pius Welk of Bismarck passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on February 18, 2017, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, after a short stay. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22, at the Church of St. Anne, 1321 Braman Avenue, Bismarck. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. A vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass. Pius was born March 12, 1924, to Ludwig and Kathryn (Mattern) Welk. He was raised on the family farm near Strasburg and was the second of eleven children. He married Hilda Volk on November 26, 1955, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bismarck. Pius graduated from St. Benedict’s High School in Strasburg and began teaching all eight grades in a one-room school house. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following the war, he graduated from Dakota Business College in Fargo and began his government career with the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. Upon retirement, he devoted eight years to the Volunteer Action Center. Pius was a devout Catholic and charter member of the Church of St. Anne. He was a fraternal member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, and Eagles. He enjoyed bowling, crossword puzzles, yardwork, sports, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Pius is survived by Hilda, his wife of 61 years; his daughter Connie (Michael) Stevenson, Bismarck; sons Don (Cindy) Welk, Fargo, and Paul (Janean) Welk, Bismarck; eight grandchildren, Paul Stevenson, Bismarck; Lauren (Brandon) Ktytor, Bismarck; Braden Stevenson, Fargo; Marcus Welk, St. Cloud, MN; Emmalee Welk, Fargo; Thomas (fiancé Morgan) Welk, Iowa City, IA; John Welk, Lincoln, NE; and Jeffrey Welk, Bismarck; and two great-grandchildren, Penelope Ktytor and Greyson Welk. He is also survived by his brothers Elmer Welk, Chicago, IL, and Pete Welk, Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Alice Keller, Clara Porter, Rose Eberlein, and Jenny Randgaard; infant brother, William, and brothers, Ray, Larry, and Henry Welk. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Church of St. Anne, Bismarck.