Luke Alexey Welch

Luke Welch, 26, passed away on August 12, 2024. He was born May 26, 1998, in Petrozavodsk, Russia. Luke was part of Camp Hope 2006 when he was 8 years old. Through Camp Hope, he traveled to America for a week-long summer camp for older, adoptable children, and was hosted by Dick and Sharon Jones. Jennifer and Eric met Luke during this stay. When seeing his enthusiasm and abounding energy they knew he was meant to be family. Luke became an American, a son to Eric and Jennifer, and a brother to Jozy when his plane from Russia touched down on American soil December 2, 2006.

Luke attended Woodward Granger schools and was active in sports. He graduated in 2017. After high school, Luke was accepted into the tool and die program at DMACC and was sponsored by Accumold in Ankeny, where he continued to work as a machinist for 7 years.

His enthusiasm was endearing to all who knew him. He loved the outdoors- boating, swimming, snowboarding, mini golf with his family, deer hunting in the fall with his Dad and his uncle Jason. He loved all animals and especially his two dogs, Ozzy and Sage. Some of his favorite times were spent at the lake with his cousins and grandparents. He loved the time he got to spend with Grandma and Grandpa Welch during their summer trips, the most memorable one being Disney World. Luke was always a great friend and his favorite past time was hanging out with his buddies.

Left to honor his memory are his parents, Eric and Jennifer Welch and his sister, Jozy (Ben) Murry; grandparents Carroll and Eileen McLuckie; grandmother, Colleen Welch; nephew, Joshua Murry; uncle Jason (Kay) Welch; uncle Greg (Cheryl) McLuckie; (Tammy) McLuckie; cousins Derrick, Alex (Olivia), Ashley (Michael) Meyer, Zoe, Shawn, and Tally. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Gary Welch.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 15th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 NW Aurora Ave, in Urbandale.

Services will be held on Friday, August 16th, at Gloria Dei at 11:00 a.m. Preceding the service there will be a short visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.

Online giving can be done by going to https://subsplash.com/u/gloriadeilutheranchurch/give under "fund" select other and you can add a note at the next step for "Lavish Love Iowa" or "In remembrance of Luke"