Please donate to the Alumni Scholarship fund in Memory of Lyle & Wilma Welch
It’s not often a teacher has the opportunity to teach at the same High School three different times, but that is exactly what former Holton High School math teacher, coach, and guidance counselor Lyle Welch did for a total of 26 years. The first time he left was to work for the Kansas Department of Education in Topeka. He helped establish the high school guidance counseling program for the state of Kansas. The second time was to complete his Education Specialist degree at Michigan State University. Nor did he forget his students after graduation. He always came back for the reunions, the last one in 2008 when he was 83 years old. Mr. Welch died August 19 at the Veterans Home in Cameron, MO at the age of 90. Mr. Welch’s obituary was printed in August 26th edition of The Holton Recorder. Former students of Mr. Welch who benefited from his teaching and counsel are urging other classes and former students to join them in contributing to the Holton High School Alumni Scholarship fund in memory of Lyle & Wilma Welch. Wilma, Lyle’s wife of 64 years, was a homemaker and secretary in Holton. Here are a couple of testimonies from former students:
Lyle Welch devoted his working life to those he taught, coached and served as guidance counselor while at Holton High School. Through this process, he carefully guided all of us towards a future beyond high school in line with our latent talents and interests. His interest and passion during the final years of my high school experience challenged me to reach for what, at the time, I believed was beyond my reach. Somehow, he saw in me what I could not see in myself, found a way to overcome my hard-headed beliefs and fears, and forever changed my life. I give Lyle credit for the challenging and rewarding life I have enjoyed and will forever miss the life-long friendship that he and Wilma afforded me. If ever a couple deserved to be honored with a scholarship fund, Lyle and Wilma Welch should receive that honor. Dennis L Hilgenfeld, Class of 1963
Mr. Welch always took time to listen and advise. I didn’t know what to do after high school. Mr. Welch advised me to consider the printing program at Kansas State College of Pittsburg (now PSU). I had never even heard of Pittsburg Kansas! All of my classmates were going to Colleges and Universities nearer Holton. That advice from Mr. Welch set me on a great education and career. Daryl Roller, HHS ’63
For former students, reading this article, you are being given an opportunity to both “pay back, and pay forward” to future graduating classes at Holton High School by sending your checks of contribution to “Jackson County Community Foundation, PO Box 175, Holton, KS 66436 with a note in the memo section Lyle & Wilma Welch Memorial”. All donations are tax deductible under ID #48-0972106. All donations in Memory of Lyle and Wilma Welch will be deposited in the Holton High School Alumni Scholarship fund. If you desire to learn more about the work of the HHS Alumni Scholarship Fund, Contact Mike McManigal at mmcmanigal@dsbks.com.
posted September 28th, 2015
HHS Alumni History Book CDR
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The Holton High School Alumni History, a publication containing school history and graduate listings, has been digitized and updated to 2009. CD-R's (label image above) will be available at the door for the May 23rd Alumni Banquet.
