Capitola "Tola" Welch

Capitola "Tola" Welch, age 101, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2014, at Overland Park, Kansas. She was born on November 25, 1912, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Carl and Augusta (Klagus) Wilson. She grew up in the southeast Kansas town of Colony, Kansas. Her family split time between farming and being owners of the local telephone company. Tola (as she was always known) worked at the telephone company from a very young age, connecting customers by plugging and unplugging lines on the switchboard. After graduating from high school, she went on to cosmetology school. She married G. Murlin Welch, a local teacher and coach at Colony High School. Yes, she had been one of his students in high school. They moved to Mission, Kansas, in 1938, after Murlin was hired to teach and coach at Shawnee Mission Rural High School. They remained in the same home and at Shawnee Mission until 1972 when Murlin retired after 30-plus years, 20-plus of those years being principal of what has now become known as Shawnee Mission North. Tola's role as the principal's wife led her into several positions within local service clubs and both Tola and Murlin were very active as teachers and members of Old Mission Methodist Church. She was also the Executive Secretary to Dr. Harold Dent for many years in what was known as the Prairie School District. After the Shawnee Mission schools merged with the elementary school districts, she continued working as a Secretary to the principal at Merriam Elementary. Their only child, Michael, was born during World War II while Murlin was serving in the military. Tola always loved painting, both oils and Tole, even teaching both to novices of the arts. After retiring in 1972, they moved to Sunrise Beach, MO, and established an art school, a Gallery and backed a local annual Art Fair. They also enjoyed many summer visits from their grandchildren and many, many friends from their Shawnee Mission days were also frequent visitors. In 1995, they re-retired, and moved to Stanley to be close to family. In the Stanley-Stilwell area, they opened a much larger Gallery and art supply store called Blue Valley Arts. Although owned by the Welches, the store was managed by Tola's grandson and she worked there until 1999. Murlin passed away in January of 1997 after a long illness following a stroke. Tola is survived by her son, Michael Welch and wife Betty Sue; grandson Ryan Welch and wife Ashli; granddaughter Susan Flynn and husband Brian; great grandchildren Ana and Cameron Welch, and Billy and Elle Flynn. The family wishes to thank the staff at Emeritus of Overland Park for their support and tender care. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 344 N. Cedar, Moran, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Moran Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Association at 3846 West 75th, Prairie Village, KS 66208 or JDRS at 920 Main St., Ste. 280, Kansas City, MO 64105. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .