Fred Ernest Welter was born to Fred M. and Mary L. Welter in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Fred worked as a mechanic at Mid-Continent Oil Company for nine years, following high school, in Sheridan.

Having started a large family he then secured a position with the YMCA where he was responsible for creating the Physical Education, Youth and Camping Programs in Sheridan and much later moved his family to Sioux Falls, SD to work at the downtown YMCA in the same capacity, eventually becoming an 11-state YMCA Commissioner.

While married with a family, Fred earned bachelor degrees in both Geology and Physical Education and he spent his life serving both youth and adults alike. He loved sports including basketball, racquetball, football and swimming. He coached the AAU swim teams in Sheridan and Sioux Falls and taught scuba diving.

Fred also loved hunting, fishing, water skiing and being in the outdoors camping with his family and friends.

Fred was preceded in death by five older siblings and son Jeffrey and grandsons Fred and Sam.

He is survived by his sister Lucille Leonard and seven children, Fred, Charles, Roger, Christopher, Timothy, Jason and Mary all raised with wife Anne Shipley (his high school sweetheart) who he married in 1952. He also left behind 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

His family will hold a private memorial at a later time, which was his request.

The Sheridan Press - December 7, 2012.