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Sonja Ann (Hubbard) Welch, beloved mother, wife and homemaker, departed this life on Monday, October 20, 2020. She was 81.  Mrs. Welch, formerly of Nebo, Illinois, was living in LaPlace, Louisiana for the last 35 years, with her husband, Kenneth.

Mrs. Welch was born on November 17, 1938 to Frank and Norma Hubbard of Grimes Hill in Nebo.  Sonja attended Nebo School. She was formerly the wife of Dale Goewey, and together they had six children— Julie, Jill, Kevin, Lisa, Penny and Michael. She later married Kenneth Welch and together had two more children, Elizabeth and Kenneth II. Sonja was grandmother (“frandma”) to 23 grandchildren, great-grandmother to 44, and great-great grandmother to 10.

Mrs. Welch enjoyed caring for others in her earlier years. She was a bus driver to many school children, an in-home caregiver for the elderly and special-needs children, and a mother figure to many of her children’s friends.  She enjoyed camping trips with her Boy Scouts and spending hours in Walmart, shopping and chatting with her local friends.  She was known for her goofy jokes and giving personality, and always had a meal to share with someone who needed it. She especially loved getting back “home” to Pike County, Illinois, and having a houseful of company.  Sonja had always trusted in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and is now at peace in His loving arms.

Sonja is survived by her husband of 47 years, Kenneth; her daughters, Julie (Frank) Kremer, Jill Makepeace, Lisa (Alex) Makepeace, Penny Roig, and Elizabeth Welch; and her sons, Kevin (Mary) Goewey, Michael (Amanda) Goewey and Kenneth (Karla) Welch II.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Norma Hubbard; two brothers, Kenneth and Victor Hubbard; her ex-husband, Dale Goewey; and a son-in-law, Barry Roig.

There will be a visitation for family at Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, Illinois on Wednesday, October, 28, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.  Face coverings will be required to attend. A public graveside memorial service will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Crescent Heights Cemetery, also in Pleasant Hill.  Arrangements for transport to her final resting place were made by L.A. Muhleisen & Son, in Kenner, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Autism Speaks or any veterans organizations.  To share memories or condolences, please visit www.muhleisen.com