Winifred (Winnie) Welty

Winifred (Winnie) Welty of Plains passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2026, while at home surrounded by her loving family. Winnie was born in Rugby, N.D., March 27, 1953, to Mary and Wilfred Ovitt. Winnie was one of 13 kids.
Winnie spent most of her school days in North Dakota but moved to Plains the summer before her senior year. During her senior year, she met and actively pursued the love of her life, Steve Welty. After Winnie completed high school, she stayed with Gary and Linda Ovitt for a time, where she made it clear that she was in love with Steve. Winnie spent time baking goodies for Steve and delivering them to Western Hardware, where she soon learned the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Steve and Winnie’s love for one another was very special.
Steve and Winnie married in 1972 and had two daughters, Mari Jo and Kerrie.
Winnie enjoyed spending time with her best friend and husband Steve, camping, hunting, fishing, and taking drives in the mountains. A family activity that Winnie enjoyed was shooting pistols and rifles, where she would regularly outshoot all others, devastating the competition.
A woman of faith, Winnie loved her Lord with all her heart and devoted countless hours reading her bible and praying for her family and loved ones.
When Winnie was a young mother, she devoted a lot of her time to her church and youth activities. Whether at church or at home, other people’s children were always drawn to her loving and caring spirit.
Winnie was the heart and soul of her family, known as a sweet and soft-spoken woman and known for her compassion and infectious laughter.
Winnie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Winnie’s greatest joy came from nurturing her family and doting on her grandchildren.
Winnie is survived by her husband of 53 ½ years, Steve Welty; daughter Mari Jo (Brian) Josephson; granddaughters Kristen (Dylan) Vaught; Haley (Camren) Kovarik; great grandchildren Ella and Ryder Kovarik; daughter Kerrie Clinkenbeard; granddaughter Terra Clinkenbeard; great grandchildren Harmoni, Charli, Tobin; grandson Stephen (Amelia) Clinkenbeard; great grandchildren Louetta, Augustus; grandson Bridger Clinkenbeard; brothers and sisters; Rodney Ovitt; Dennis (Helen) Ovitt; Tim (Karen) Ovitt; Marilyn (Jim) Bergman; Lona (Lowell) Trochman; sister-in-law Brenda Ovitt; sister-n-law Linda Ovitt; Susan (Mike) Kankelfritz; Glenn Pearson; numerous nieces and nephews.
Winnie was preceded in death by her father Wilfred Ovitt, mother, Mary Ovitt Pearson; brother, Allan Ovitt; sister, Kathy Helland; stepfather, Al Pearson; brother Doug (Robin) Ovitt; brother, Gary Ovitt, brother, Jay Ovitt; son-in-law Charles (Chucky) Clinkenbeard.
A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m., at the Plains Alliance Church, 505 W. Fifth St., Plains, MT.
 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick House of Missoula or Clark Fork Valley Hospital Hospice, in Winnie’s memory.