Kenneth Welk

Kenneth Welk, 80, peacefully passed away Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, at home. A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Mandan United Methodist Church with Pastor Joel Winckler officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, from 5-7 PM at DaWise-Perry/Mandan Crematory. Friends and family can also gather one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church at 9:30 AM. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 1 PM.

Kenneth was the last of nine children. Born at home in Kulm, ND on June 18th, 1945, to the parents of Christ and Amelia Welk. He was raised on a farm and went to elementary school and graduated from Kulm High School in 1964.

After graduating High School, he traveled to South Carolina with his nephew Roy. While there, he received his draft letter and chose to enlist in the Navy. During his 20 years in the Navy, he spent time in Vietnam on board the USS Maury. He spent two terms in Antarctica. He also spent time in Norfolk, VA and the Naval Air Station in Glenview, IL, thirteen months in Diego Garcia and three years in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

During his time in Norfolk, he met his future wife, Marilyn Mullen of Bloomer, WI on a blind date. They married in 1970. They had 2 children, Christian and Cheryl. In 1973, Ken, Marilyn and Chris spent three years in Guantanamo Bay.

In 1976, Ken was transferred to Glenview Naval Air Station, later to Diego Garcia, then back to Glenview where he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. He retired from the Navy in 1985 as a Meteorologist. He then continued his career path at the National Weather Service in Bismarck, ND where he retired in 2007.

During his time in Mandan, he loved gardening, cooking and grilling on his Traeger grills. He enjoyed his coffee time with friends at Dan's (until Covid hit and closed everything down). He was active in his church, belonged to several organizations including Thrivent, American Legion, Amvets and the Navy League. He sponsored his son and grandson with their racecars and sat in the bleachers at the Mandan Speedway for years watching them race until his health deteriorated.

Ken is survived by his wife, Marilyn of 55 years, his children, Chris and Cheryl Welk both from Mandan. His grandchildren, Christian Jr. Welk, Sabrina Welk and Aiden Schlotman. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Sandi (Paul) Reed of New Auburn, WI, two brothers-in-law, Don (Perky) Mullen of Luxenberg, WI and John (Laura) Mullen of Darby, MT. And several nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law (Arlys and Alvin Mullen), sisters, Annetta (Bob) Geisler, Leona (Art) Bollinger, Freda (Paul) Keller, Nora (Eugene) Kinzler, and infant Lenora. Brothers, Walter (Shirley) Welk, Norman (Martha) Welk, and Art Welk. And one sister-in-law, Sharron Oines.

Ken was a hard worker, always frugal, but generous in helping others. He had an odd sense of humor and love for his friends and more importantly his family. We will miss him dearly.