Georganne Welty
February 10, 1928 — December 5, 2014
Georganne Robb Welty, 86, of Duluth, Minnesota, died peacefully on December 5, 2014 in the presence of family.
She was born Georganne Robb on Feb. 10, 1928 in Salina, Kansas to Postmaster George Seanor Robb and Mary Winona (McLatchey) Robb. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1946 while editor of the school annual, the Sunflower.
Georganne used to joke that if she had been born a boy she would have been eligible to attend West Point Military Academy at no charge because her father had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in World War I. Her interest, however, lay in a different direction. After interrupting her art degree at Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas, much to Mr. Robb's chagrin, to marry Daniel Marsh Welty, in 1948, she lived the life of a post-war baby boom mother.
When Georganne finished her Art degree at Mankato State College in 1966, magna cum laude, with the financial help of her father, he was gratified to attend her graduation ceremony. She became one of the founding owners of Mankato's popular boutique, Harpies Bazaar, and made popular Christmas ornaments under the label, "By George" for many years. At her husband's death in 1987 she moved to St. Paul and resumed her art studies at the Minnesota Academy of Art and Design. Afterwards she set up a studio in Minneapolis and became a professional artist.
Her career came to an end about ten years before her death as Alzheimer's overtook her. Her last years were peaceful.
Georganne is survived by her sons Harry (Claudia) Welty, Andrew (Ann) Welty and daughter Rebecca Welty, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Georganne survived her older Sister Mary Jane Sage of New Orleans, Louisiana.
No services will be held at the present time. Those wishing to send a memorial can do so by sending a contribution to the Dan Welty Business Law Endowment at Minnesota University, Mankato, or in care of Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555. To leave an online condolence see www.doughertyfuneralduluth.com.