Rex Allen Welch, 55, of Wanamingo, passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2021, after experiencing an unexpected medical emergency at Miner's Mountain Overlook at Cuyuna State Recreation Area near Crosby, Minnesota. Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, in the River Park Chapel building. A prayer service will begin at 5:00 p.m. with Father Tom Loomis officiating. Visitation will follow until 8:00 p.m.

Rex was born in Rochester, Minnesota on February 5, 1966 to Wayne and Patricia (Waldron) Welch. Rex graduated from Mayo High School in 1984 and attended Rochester Vocational-Technical Institute earning a degree in Machine Tool Technology in May 1986. That same month he began working for PTM (Progressive Tool and Manufacturing) of Pine Island as a Machinist and spent his 35-year career working for the company.

Rex married his childhood sweetheart, Alicia (Lisa) Hunt, on April 13, 1991. Together they had two sons, Kendall and Walker Welch, and cared for their nephew Dante Ugalde. Rex was devoted to his family and loved spending time with and finding activities to do with them.

Over the years, Rex enjoyed several hobbies and sports. As a teen he raced BMX and was the ABA First Place Champion in 1983. He also enjoyed drag racing his Nova, Autocross racing, as well as racing dirt tracks in Southeastern Minnesota from 1993 to 2001. He was the Street Stock Champion for Dodge County Speedway in 1995 and 2000. He created quite a following by allowing kids to sign their names on his racecar after each race night.

Rex and Alicia enjoyed traveling the world and hiking together. In the last year they had hiked in every Minnesota State Park. Rex loved cruises and land vacations. In April, they celebrated their 30 ^th wedding anniversary in Puerto Rico. Rex also enjoyed golfing, remote control car racing, and indoor and outdoor drone racing, and disc golfing with his sons. Last year, Rex took up mountain biking with Kendall, and was on the bike trail with him– the day he passed away.

Rex also volunteered with Birthright of Rochester, and in the past was a leader with Boy Scouts in Wanamingo.

Rex is survived by his wife, Alicia Hunt-Welch; Kendall Welch from Saint Paul Park, Walker Welch from Champlin, and Dante Ugalde from Minneapolis; parents, Wayne and Patricia Welch from Rochester; and sister, Elizabeth (Tom) Hoover of Rosemount. In addition to many in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews whom he adored.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Christine Welch Nerland, and his grandparents, Rex and Cordelia Waldron, and Helen and Leonard Welch.

In lieu of cut flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for memorial trees to be planted.