Ardyth Welch, 86

Ardyth "Punky" Lee (Neville) Welch, 86, died peacefully Sept. 8, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. She was born to John and Marguerite (Elam) Neville on Aug. 22, 1938, in Superior. 

She was raised in Mineral County where she met her husband, Kenneth Leroy Welch. They married Sept. 25, 1955. In 1963 they moved to Missoula, along with their four children. The years were spent camping, hiking, hunting and fishing with her family in the mountains of Mineral County. 

Ardyth was a Cub Scout den mother, a classroom mother and a member of her children’s school PTA. She worked as an operating room technician and a real estate agent. She had many hobbies with painting, photography and gemology being among a few of her favorites. 

After raising their children, Ardyth and Ken moved to Somers and enjoyed many years living on Flathead Lake before retiring to Mesquite, Nevada. After 15 more years of fun in the sun with Ken and of course her much loved "Amigas," Punky lost her beloved husband in 2009. Sometime later she met and married Harry Fielder who was a very good man and they enjoyed their time together until his passing. Ardyth then moved back north to Spokane to be closer to family where she met and is survived by her current husband Fred Brown, whom she enjoyed spending time with along with his children and grandchildren. 

She is survived by her loving children and grandchildren; son Ken Welch Jr. and his wife Ranee of Kalispell, and grandson Matthew; son John Welch, and grandson Jason of Honolulu, Hawaii; son Dan Welch and his wife Kim of Columbia Falls, and granddaughters Brenna and her husband Cameron, and Marin of Missoula; daughter Tami Welch and granddaughter Samantha of Spokane.

Ardyth’s ashes will be buried alongside the love of her life Ken, in the cemetery in St. Regis. Ardyth had a long and adventurous life. She will be greatly missed by the people who knew and loved her.