Bio

After graduating from Girard High School, I went to work for the Western Insurance Company in Fort Scott. While there I met Mike Welch, and we married in 1966. Mike joined the Army, so we moved around the country, and I was introduced to the Army wives’ officer’s life. After Mike spent 13 months in Viet Nam, we returned to living life normally. While I worked as a secretary, Mike earned his civil engineering degree from the University of Kansas. We were gifted with two of our three children while at Lawrence. Times were tough with two small babies, working and a husband in school but we made it through.

After graduating, Mike took a job with BRB Contractors, a general contractor constructing water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, bridges, all types of pipelines, and telephone cable in Topeka, Kansas. He is now president and chairman of the board. I worked at several jobs and raised our three children. I also took care of our personal business, keeping books, and other personal secretarial work.

When the kids got older I took courses at Washburn University in legal and administrative office management, receiving my associate degree, while working for law firms and later a bank executive.

Our son, Bill, is the safety director for BRB Contractors. Bill also has his own real estate management firm. He and Kathy have two adorable daughters, Abbie 8, and Olivia 4.

Our oldest daughter, Michelle, is an interior designer, and is married to Mickey Masters, who is a manager at EDS in Edmond, Oklahoma. They have two very active boys, Brandon 4 and Blake 2.

Our youngest daughter, Jana, is finishing school at Benedictine College. She is a jock, and has received scholarships for basketball and track. She played in practically all sports, so now that she has grown out of those activities, we are in withdrawal. Jana, we feel, will eventually be in sales some day like her brother and sister.

With our business we have been able to travel to about all of the states. Hawaii was one of the special ones, but we like to explore every place that we visit. I have supported Mike in his ambition to serve on several boards, so we have been able to meet some very neat people. I keep busy now with our personal business, and helping our son manage his real estate business in the afternoons. I also serve on several church committees, play bridge and try to exercise regularly. God has bestowed many blessings on us, and we are thankful for our relationship with Him. One of these days we will slow down, but until then we are going to enjoy the journey.

See you all in June.

Carla Lusebrink Welch