Sheila Rae (Nelson) Welch

Sheila Rae (Nelson) Welch passed away on March 24, 2023 at the age of 67. She was born on August 20, 1955 in Deadwood, South Dakota to Gloria Marie (Brewer) Nelson and Robert Eugene Nelson. She was the second of four children, having one older brother (Allan Dale Nelson) and two younger sisters (Sandra Faye (Nelson) Astle) and (Melanie Marie (Nelson) Rees).

Sheila graduated from Bear River High School in 1973. She married Michael Donald Welch in 1976 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Sheila had her daughter Jessica in 1983 and she graduated from Ensign College in 1985. Sheila and Mike divorced in 1986.

Sheila started working for U.D.O.T in 1984 in the accounting department at the U.D.O.T complex in West Valley, Utah. She worked for them until 2008 eventually retiring as a Level III Transportation Technician and Project Inspector. She worked in offices in Wellsville, Riverside, Brigham City, and eventually Willard doing everything from office work to maintenance to driving a snowplow or driving an emergency response vehicle during the 2002 Winter Olympic games. Sheila was fearless and would tackle any task U.D.O.T. threw her way, until eventually issues with her back forced her to retire in 2008. At first she thought she would be lost without her job as the biggest part of her identity, but she was able to move in with her parents to help take care of them and she was grateful to get to spend all that extra time with them. Sheila even got to drive her parents in their motorhome on a summer-long trip to visit family in other states in 2016. She often spoke about how just taking their time sight-seeing, playing cards or dominos, and talking about the good ol’ times were some of the most precious memories she had with her parents.

While working for U.D.O.T. Sheila met Robert Guy Buttars, who ran the paver for Jack B. Parsons, and they were married from 1989-1992, but remained close for many years.

Sheila only had one child, but through Mike she had two step-sons and through Robby she had a step-daughter, step-son, and a couple step-nephews that she remained close to for many many years. Sheila always wanted a big family and so she kind-of collected these people throughout her life, held them close in her heart, and she never let them go. She was even “Mom” to some of Jessica’s friends and continued to give them her love through Facebook or any way she could, right up until her last day.

Sheila was the kind of person who was always willing to help others. She was warm and kind and believed in the value of hard work. Sheila taught her daughter and grandsons to treat others with respect and to always take pride in their work-even if it was just chores they didn’t like.

Sheila enjoyed cooking, camping, all kinds of crafts, and going for long drives, but her favorite thing to do was spend time with friends and loved ones.

Sheila’s granddaughter is disabled and the last few years her daughter was able to hire her to help with her. This brought Sheila the chance to form a super-close bond with her granddaughter and grandsons that they are externally grateful for.

Sheila reconnected with Craig McLean and on June 19, 2020 they got engaged. Through Craig she was already forming close bonds with his kids and some of  his friends and there will be much sadness and heartache for that future cut short.

Sheila was always sending cheerful little notes and inspirational quotes to those she held dear, and leaves behind a silence that no one else can fill.

Sheila was preceded in death by her brother, Allan Dale Nelson; grandmother, Marjorie Evangeline (Smith) Nelson; father, Robert Eugene Nelson; mother, Gloria Marie (Brewer) Nelson; stepson, James Michael Welch.

Sheila is survived by her sisters, Sandy (Carlos) Astle of Garland and Melanie (Kyle) Rees of West Point; her daughter Jessica Geneva Welch of Riverton; grandchildren, Geneva Rae Bruso, Devon Adam Watters and Fenix Allan Watters.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Noon with a viewing held prior from 10-11:30 A.M. All services will be held at Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home (111 N 100 E-Tremonton). Interment in the Garland Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed below.