Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2022

Brenda Faith Welch was born in Lake Delton, Wisconsin on July 15, 1942, the daughter of Clarence Lester Welch (1918-1983) and Violet Delores Blue Welch (1923-1980). Brenda’s grandparents were LeRoy Alphonso Welch Sr. (1872-1961) and Mathilda Millie Mettie DeGroat (1880-1955), and Terry Arthur Blue (1903-1973) and Gertrude Elizabeth Jones (1902-1973).

Brenda grew up in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, and from a young age it was shown that she had a beautiful voice and was very talented at playing drums.

Brenda’s family owned several bars in Minnesota and South Dakota, and she met her future husband, Gregory Joseph Wilt, while watching his band play in Morton, Minnesota. George was born on January 14, 1937, in Tracey, Minnesota, son of Everett V. Wilt and Ruth Irene Archer.

Brenda and George Joseph Wilt (1937-1998) were married on September 3, 1960, in Hopkins. They had four children, including Stephen Paul, Joseph Martin, Thomas Wayne, and Violet.

Brenda enjoyed cooking, family dinners, all holiday seasons, and chickens. She also loved to dance and was very sad when cancer took dancing away from her.

Brenda also loved traveling, and one of her best trips was a vacation to London with her family to watch the Minnesota Vikings play.

In October 2017, Brenda was inducted in to the Legends of Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame in Rapid City, South Dakota.

When she was 76 years old, Brenda Faith Welch Wilt, a member of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, journeyed to the spirit world on Sunday, February 10, 2019, at her home near Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Brenda’s journey to the spirit world included a funeral at the Tiowakan Spiritual Center in Prior Lake on February 10, 2019. Pallbearers included Paul Saice, Brian Welch, Alan Welch, Caitlin Welch, Cody Welch, and Sam Welch.

Brenda was preceded in death by her husband, Gregory; parents, Clarence and Violet Welch; infant brother, Steve; granddaughter, René. Her children, grandchildren, siblings, and great-grandchildren will remember Brenda Faith Welch Wilt.