Kilian Welch

Kilian Monroe Welch, son of Lindsay McCormick-Welch and Logan Welch (Rachel Paskey), was born July 29, 2016 in Webster City. Kilian was born early at 27 weeks at 1 lb 14 oz and was a strong determined little fighter from the beginning. He was a miracle from the start and his life since then has been a gift. He took on every challenge put his way, charmed our little socks off, sang his heart out through St Thomas Aquinas preschool, he learned and grew so much in his next years at Pleasant View Elementary and was currently a 3rd grader at Sunset Heights Elementary School.

He loved his family, especially playing Barbies with his sister Gwennie and seeing who could control the YouTube remote with his brother Leo. Kilian was blessed with a big brother William who was his unwavering protector. William promised to always protect him, and, in that promise, he gave Kilian a sense of security and belonging that made his world brighter.

Kilian explored soccer, tee-ball, acrobats, swimming, basketball, and was planning on trying his hand at tennis this year. Kilian was an active member of Cub Scouts Pack 583. Kilian was a joyful, determined, and strong-willed 9-year-old with the kindest disposition, sweetest little voice, and contagious smile. Kilian participated in his own special way. He gave the best hugs that would brighten anyone’s day.

He was a busy boy who loved to draw, read, play school, create art and write notes to his friends and family. Kilian also enjoyed attending VBS in the summer at both Trinity Lutheran Church and Asbury United Methodist Church. Happy in a VR headset, a natural at Minecraft, lover of any tablet, Animal Company, Pokemon, Captain America, late night calls & making tech videos & digital art. Kilian fell in love with his teachers & support staff & medical providers, they became special like family to him, and we know the feeling was mutual. He enjoyed playing kitchen, taking your McDonalds order through his drive through, cake decorating for the fair, and baking & cooking together with family made his little (big) heart happy.

Along with his parents, Kilian is survived by brothers, William McCormick-Grosz and Leo Welch; sisters, Gwendolyn Welch and Rachel’s daughter Haven Halbach; grandmothers, Yvonne McCormick and Carla Welch; grandfather and grandmother, Mike and Holly McCormick; uncle & aunt, Aaron and Bekki Welch; aunts, Randi Welch & Zack Brinkman, Riley Welch & Caden Beem; and great uncles and great aunts & cousins, Mark and Michelle Pearson & Nick and Carly Pearson & Brexton & Beckem, Brittany and Spenser Huffman, Cheri Daya & Josh Van Langen & family & Anjali Daya, Gina Monroe, Rick and Judy McCormick, Bill and Dagmar McCormick & Wendy Little & family & JD McCormick & Verina and Boris Dragojevic & Aria & Lincoln & Harlow, Alan & Samantha McCormick, Felicia Olson & family, Caylyn and Kenny Bishop, Samantha McCormick and Jonny Freddolino & Lydia, Dan McCormick, Jeff and Nur McCormick & Maddie McCormick and Jake Holliday & Georgie McCormick. Les and Bev Welch, Kenny Welch, Missy & Rob Creel & Miranda & family & Michael, Jeff and Cathy Anderson, Carrie Babbe, Cheryl Utterback, John and Channa Lee; first cousins, Kylee Welch, Brock Welch, Maverick Messerly, Brantley Brinkman and Robbie Brinkman and a wide circle of extended relatives and friends. Also: birth parents who unselfishly gave Kilian, Kilian’s parents and Kilian’s brothers and sister the greatest gift of all.

Kilian was preceded in death by his grandfather, Randy Welch, uncle, Morgan McCormick, great uncle Marc Reinsel, and Grandfather Daniel Nilles.

To know him is to love him. He has taught us that we can do hard things. Kilian touched and changed the lives of the world by touching the lives of many. We know that is lasting. Every moment of his 9 years earth side was a blessing, and we hold on to that. His life was purposeful, and rest assured his impact will continue to affect those who knew him and even beyond.

His heart was full of love for those he knew and even in small interactions, please know that if he knew you, he loved you. No words are the right words, even the closest family doesn’t have them. Please help keep him with us by conversations as we attempt to walk forward with him in our hearts in all things. Even after leaving his body earth side, he got his Thomas ride this weekend and is excited to celebrate with you this week and all things forward. If you are reading this, he is forever your guardian angel, bringing joy to even the smallest moments.

A lesson to take away is to find beauty in the unplanned. Life isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding beauty as you’re living.

He was such a light for others and the gift we can all take away from him is to be someone’s light in this world.