Noreen Millsap-Welch of Cottage Grove, Ore. passed away Oct. 24, 2020 at the age of 81. Noreen was born in Cedarville Calif. on Dec. 15, 1938 to Randall and Alice (Noren) Bush.
She graduated from high school in Big Pine, Calif., later attending college in southern California. Noreen was a homemaker and stay-at-home mom who worked various jobs including managing the Shilo Inn in Helena, Mont. and the Albany Visitors Association. She completed her career as a community coordinator with the Linn County Sheriff’s Department.
Noreen enjoyed golfing, painting and collecting antiques, but her greatest joy was camping, fishing and traveling with family and friends.
Noreen is survived by her husband of 19 years, Gary Welch. Together Gary and Noreen share eight children; Julie Hadley of Albany, Ore.; Sharon Davis of LaComb, Ore.; Shelley Hacek of Albany, Ore.; Mark Millsap of Paulden, Ariz.; Karen Rohlfs of Stonewall, Texas, Dawn Ard of Chino Valley, Ariz.; Jennifer Ostrander of Highland, Ill.; and Gary Welch Jr. of Yuma, Ariza.; 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Noreen was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years James E. Millsap, daughter Robyn Roberts, parents Alice Bell and Randall Bush, sister Annette Curtis and brother Jack Bush.
A service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Linn County Search and Rescue.
