Mary Elizabeth Welton

Mary Elizabeth Welton, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister, at home surrounded by her family, peacefully left this earth to meet her Lord and Savior on July 18, 2025 due to appendix cancer. She was born on November 6, 1938 in Waterbury, Connecticut to Louis “Bud” Hardt Sr. and Irene Dzinski Hardt. Bud was a machinist and Irene was a homemaker. Mary was the eldest of eight children (Phil-deceased, Joanne, Louis Jr. “Rick”, Patty, Billy-deceased, Diane, and Debbie). Bud passed away in 1967 and Mary helped care for the younger children. Mary recalled that ever since the 5th grade she wanted to be a nurse. Upon graduation from high school, at the age of 17, Mary entered the Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing and earned her nursing degree three years later in 1959.

Mary met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Welton, in 1959 on a blind date to play putt putt golf. Their relationship flourished and excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on January 7, 1961 at St. Mary Madelen Catholic Church in Oakville, Connecticut.

Mary and Bob couldn’t wait to start a family of their own and their girls meant the world to them. Lori, Cheryl, Kathryn and Megan-deceased, were greatly loved and cared for by Mary and Bob. She was especially proud of the men her girls had chosen to be their son-in-laws, Bill Price (Lori), David Schlitt (Cheryl) and Jamie Moore-deceased (Kathryn). In the last year, she developed a loving relationship with Kathryn’s new fiancé, A.J. Anderson.

Though she loved raising a family, cooking wonderful meals, and attending to everyone’s needs, Mary’s favorite role was that as a grandparent. She treasured their time with their grandkids and loved being their “Nana,” never failing to miss a birthday or an important milestone. She was a loving and nurturing Nana to David Schlitt Jr. (Melissa), Megan Schlitt Ridner (Andrew), Robert “Bobby” Moore, Julia Moore, and Brian Moore.

She was also blessed with being “GiGi” to three great grandchildren, Evelyn Ridner, Sabrina Schlitt and Thea Ridner. Having spent time with each of them, a lot of Facetime calls since they lived out of town, always brought a joyful smile to her face. There was nothing better than having those girls say “Hi GiGi”.

Having lived in Connecticut, Georgia and Kansas, Mary and Bob began their initial years in retirement by living full time on the road in their Motor Coach. Over several years they were fortunate to travel throughout the United States seeing new sites and meeting new people.   One of their favorite locations was Jackson Hole, Wyoming having spent several summers there. Mary would work several days a week in the Visitor Center at the National Elk Refuge from Memorial Day to Labor Day, answering visitor’s questions and offering  recommendations for activities in the area. Mary and Bob eventually moved to Texas for nearly two decades, living in South Padre Island and Georgetown, and then ultimately returning to Wichita, Kansas where they rejoined St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Mary will always be remembered for her service to others, her compassion for life, and her strong Catholic faith. We couldn’t have asked for a better wife, parent, grandparent, great grandparent, or sibling and will miss Mary every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 N Stratford Ln, Wichita. KS.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, 1215 N. Stratford Ln., Wichita, KS 67206.