Dr. David Welte passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 4, 2015 at St. Marys Hospital after a lengthy illness.

David Franklin Welte was born in Rochester to Neola and Harvey Welte on June 16, 1926, the youngest of five children.  Upon high school graduation he enlisted in the Navy during WWII.  While in the Navy he was on the mission that tested the atomic bomb in the Pacific.

After discharge, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota.  He went on to graduate from the Chicago College of Optometry in 1953.  In 1951 he married Dolores Curtis at the Augustana Hospital Chapel in Chicago.  They moved to Rochester in December 1953.  He started his optometric practice in January 1954 in the Miracle Mile Shopping Center.  Several years later Dr. J. L. Block joined him as partner.  They practiced together for over 40 years.  Dr. Welte was a consultant at the Rochester State Hospital and later the Federal Medical Center.

Dr. Welte was a member of the American and Minnesota Optometric Association, the Masons, American Legion and the Elks.  He was a member of Homestead United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees and taught Sunday school.

He loved the city of Rochester and was an active civic volunteer.  He served as president of the PTAs for Horace Mann Elementary School and Central Junior High.  He served as president of Kiwanis and Exchange Club.  He was on the Board of Directors of the March of Dimes for many years.  He was a volunteer at the Rochester Senior Center and the Rochester Civic Theatre.

He enjoyed exercise and was a Y member for over 50 years.  He also enjoyed travel, reading, golf and playing bridge.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He is survived by his wife, Dolores; daughter Kathy (Lowell Anderson) of Arden Hills; son David (Denise Shumaker); grandchildren Nicole Miller (Donald), Nina (special friend Jon Lohmann), Ian Anderson; three great-grandchildren; Emma, Maya, Rebekah Miller; and Dylan Lohmann. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

The family is especially grateful to Dr. Mark Weiland, Lynn Borkenhagen, and the Mayo Hospice staff.

There will be a service to celebrate his life in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 12:00pm.  There will be a visitation starting at 11:00am. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery Columbarium at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or to the donor's charity of choice.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com