Brenda Joyce Welch

Brenda Joyce Welch, 62, a resident of Madison, Kan., died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, at the Via Christi Emergency Room in Pittsburg, Kan. She was born June 5, 1950, in Allen County, Kan., the daughter of Ray Hutton and Elsie King Hutton. She first married Kenneth Davis. They later divorced. She then married Allen Welch and he preceded her in death. While living in Fort Scott, Kan., Brenda worked as a ward clerk and nurses aide at Mercy Hospital. She and her husband Kenny also owned and operated the Happy Hollow Zoo in Fort Scott. Brenda later worked as an aide at area nursing homes.

Survivors include her daughter, Lisa Payne and husband, Mike, of Girard, Kan.; three grandchildren, Mike Payne Jr. and wife, Amber, Liberal, Mo., Tina Payne and Ryan of Pittsburg, Kan., and Hether Sponsel and husband, Chadd, Girard, Kan.; five great-grandchildren, Justin, Shelby, Bella, Copelin and Gabby. Also surviving is a sister, Carolyn Henry, Madison, Kan. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Sally Hutton.

There was a cremation. Private burial will take place at a later date. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.