On November 22, 2024, Lori Sue Welch, age 62, left this life for one where she is free to run and laugh with her perfect smile, those beautiful curls, and a spirit full of pure sunshine. With her beloved family by her side, she slipped effortlessly from this life to a heaven she had only dreamed of—a heaven she earned and deserved, a heaven she sang about, and a heaven where her mom was waiting with open arms.

Lori was born in Wichita, the daughter of Jean Rochelle Harris. She grew up in a house full of rambunctious siblings and dear friends, attending Allen Elementary and graduating with the Southeast High School Class of 1980. She was married later that year and spent 25 years raising her three children in Wichita, Tulsa, Joplin, and a brief stint in Los Angeles. Lori was an attentive and loving stay-at-home mom for much of her children's lives. No matter the challenges, Lori made sure their lives were filled with joy, whimsy, and boundless love. She was the mom who always showed up—whether mixing paint in the kindergarten class, scorekeeping at baseball games, sitting front and center at orchestra concerts, listening intently to every syllable of her children's stories, or being bedside coaching the birth of all five of her grandchildren. When she returned to the workforce, she enjoyed her roles as a bookkeeper, landscaper, and greeter, where she unsurprisingly befriended countless customers.

As much as Lori reveled in being a mother, being a Grammy was her life's dream come true. She was never happier nor more in her element than when her and her husband's home was filled with their "pumpkins," their 11 grandchildren. Spoiling them was her favorite; she went out of her way to ensure their favorite breakfast, treat, book, or toy was always within reach.

Lori was the embodiment of the phrase "dance like no one's watching." She loved singing and dancing, and her joy was infectious, transforming any moment into a celebration. She was a loud and proud fan of the Chiefs, Royals, Lions, and Tigers, and loved watching those games or playing board games with her husband, and especially their midnight pancake dates.

Lori is survived and lovingly remembered by her best friend and husband of 12 years, Kraig Welch; her three children, Brandi Koskie (Shelton), Kyle Jackson (LaRenda), and Jenna Gardner (Dale); and her five grandchildren, Eleanor, Paisley, Skyler, Margaret, and Olivia. She was also blessed with a bonus family, including Kris Welch, Amanda Larson, and six more beloved grandchildren: Erik, Jace, Klayton, Seth, Alana, and Emma. Lori was incredibly close to her siblings—David, Mike (Susan), Bill (Olga), Jeannie (Britt), and Felicia—and was a cherished aunt to dozens of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death and warmly welcomed to her next journey by her mother, Jean Rochelle Harris.

A private celebration of life will be held in Wichita on December 14, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations of toys to be gifted to the Angel Tree this Christmas, one of Lori's favorite holiday traditions. Share your gift here: bit.ly/LorisAngels.

We wish Lori an eternity of peace and ease, with days filled with the same sunshine and joy she brought into all our lives.