Alice M. Wellen, age 95 of Highland, IL, died Thursday, December 19, 2024, at San Gabriel Memory Care in Highland, IL.

She was born on Sunday, December 8, 1929, in Bartelso, IL, the daughter of George and Lucy (nee Meyer) Beckmann.

On Tuesday, October 17, 1950, she married John A. Wellen, who passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2014.

She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Quilting Circle, Auxiliary to VFW Post 5694; former member of Madison County Home Extension-Marine Circle for 20 years, and Adoration Society at St. Joseph Hospital.

Alice was born and raised on a farm in Bartelso, Illinois with (7) siblings. At age 14, she went to work at Mother of Good Counsel (a senior home),in St. Louis where they hired young girls and gave them room and board. Then she worked at a shoe factory and a garment factory. She married John Wellen on October 17, 1950. When she was first married, she worked at Basler Electric. When John was drafted to the Korean War, She followed him to boot-camp and then later, lived with her sister and brother-in-law. After the war, they started a family that grew to seven children. She wasn’t the conventional housewife of the times in that she enjoyed working with John in farming and house building. She handled all of the finances, designing, and paperwork as well as her share of the physical labor. A lot of Highlanders will remember her dedication to detail on Wellen-built houses. She worked into her 80’s with her sons on houses as well as helping all of her children with many home projects. She was a member of St. Paul Church since 1950. She enjoyed embroidering and quilting and was a member for many years of the St. Paul quilting ladies. Her quilts probably number into the hundreds. She enjoyed taking trips and even got to go to Tunica and Las Vegas for her 90th birthday. She would always say that she wasn’t lucky, but we all knew how lucky we were to have her in our lives.

Survivors include:
Daughter - Linda L. (Steven) Heimsath, Pocahontas, IL
Son - Mark J. (Tamra) Wellen, Highland, IL
Son - Larry G. (Mary Ann) Wellen, Highland, IL
Daughter - Mary Rose (Dan) Hogan, Springfield, IL
Daughter - Lisa M. (Joseph) Brinker, Highland, IL
Son - Scott J. (Tracy) Wellen, Highland, IL
Son - Jon N. (Teresa) Wellen, Highland, IL
Grandchild - Kenny S. (Cynthia) Heimsath
Grandchild - Amber E. (Stan) Krzystyniak
Grandchild - Anthony J. "Tony" (Fiancee Ashley Zurliene) Heimsath
Grandchild - Kyle T. Heimsath
Grandchild - Corey A. Heimsath
Grandchild - Michael J. Wellen
Grandchild - Ashely N. (Cameron) Singler
Grandchild - Laura E. (Zach) Knebel
Grandchild - Joe D. Wellen
Grandchild - Danielle R. (David) Snediger
Grandchild - Allison A. "Allie" (Ian) McDonald
Grandchild - Nicole C. "Nikki" (Fiance Ryan Pendleton) Hogan
Grandchild - Hunter T. (Julie) Hogan
Grandchild - Katelyn R. "Katie" Brinker
Grandchild - Rory J. Brinker
Grandchild - Grant S. Brinker
Grandchild - Kelsey L. (Brandon) Frerker
Grandchild - Zach S. Wellen
Grandchild - Blake A. Wellen
Grandchild - Brittani S. Wellen
Grandchild - Olivia D. (Colton) Burleson
Grandchild - Haylee (Casey) Province
Grandchild - Vanessa Wellen
Grandchild - Nicholas Wellen
Grandchild - Brenten Schneck
Grandchild - Breana (Josh) Jackson
Grandchild - Baylee (Austin) Bush
Grandchild - Eric J. Lengermann
Great Grandchild - Numerous
Sister - Lucille Loepker
Sister-In-Law - Dolores Talleur
Brother-In-Law - Jerry Sparlin

She was preceded in death by:
Father - George H. Beckmann died 2/6/1984
Mother - Lucy Mathilda Beckmann nee Meyer died 12/9/1968
Husband - John A. Wellen died 7/17/2014
Son - Terrance Joseph Wellen at 7 days old - 1963
Sister - Eleanor Lengermann died 2013
Sister - Rita Hemker died 2008
Sister - Dorothy Pollmann
Brother - William Beckmann died 2006
Brother - Frank Beckmann died 2003
Brother - Alvin Beckmann died 2017
Brother-In-Law and Spouse - George and Bernice Wellen
Sister-In-Law and Spouse - Bernice and Virgil Richter
Sister-In-Law and Spouse - Rosemary and Norman Meyer
Sister-In-Law - Bernadette C. Sparlin died 1/12/2014
Sister-In-Law and Spouse - Theresa and Emmett Caroll
Brother-In-Law and spouse - Aloysius "Al" and Bernice Wellen
Brother-In-Law - Alphonse Pollman
Brother-In-Law - Wendell Loepker
Brother-In-Law - Vince Hemker
Sister-In-Law - Frances Beckmann
Sister-In-Law - Christine Beckmann
Brother-In-Law - Tony Lengermann, Highland, IL
Brother-in-Law - Paul Talleur

Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, December 23, 2024, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL.

Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 23, 2024, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL, with Father Pat G. Jakel, Pastor, officiating.

Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul School Educational Foundation or HACSM (Highland Area Christian Service Ministry)