Mariella "Sugar" Welle

   Mariella “Sugar” Welle, 65, of Nome, ND passed away on December 13, 2025.

   Mariella was born on March 15, 1960 to Leo and MaryAnn (Mertens) Teiken. She grew up in Ogema, MN on the family dairy farm. She enjoyed being outdoors in nature and working with her hands. 

   In 1977, at a wedding dance, Mariella met Richard “Dick” Welle when he asked her to dance. They were married on October 6, 1979 in White Earth, MN. Mariella and Dick started their life together on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota, then moved to Killdeer, ND where their first daughter was born. They moved to Enderlin, ND for Dick’s job at the Sunflower Plant in 1986 and their second daughter was born. They moved to Nome, ND in 1991 where their son was born and built their home there in 1998. 

   Mariella was known for her many creative talents, including woodworking, needle crafts and sewing, painting, costume creation, gardening, furniture restoration, DIY’ing, photography, junking, and baking the best sugar cookies, to name a few. She dedicated her life to creating a beautiful, thoughtful home and raising her family. She was an active member at St. Patrick’s and Holy Trinity parishes and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. In her retirement years, she considered it one of her greatest joys to be a part of the Nome Schoolhouse project. She was passionate about the energy and life it brought to the community, as well as relishing a brandy water and a swing around the gym’s dance floor.

   Mariella and her family were blindsided by an aggressive stage 4 cancer diagnosis in late September 2025. Despite attempting treatment, her body was too weak and the disease too pervasive. She passed away surrounded by family in the care of hospice. 

   Mariella was preceded in death by her father, Leo. She is survived by her husband, Richard; her children Nicole Welle (Christopher Nere), Shannon Welle Bry (Erik Bry), and Logan Welle (CC Welle); grandchildren Caelum, Everett, Eden, Aurelia, and Rowan Nere; Adelae, Sydalee, and Hazel Bry; and Lane and Lacey Welle; as well as her mother, MaryAnn; brothers and sisters Tim, Kevin, Allen, Renee, Adam, Shirley, and Jason; and multiple brothers- and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

   A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fingal, ND on Friday, December 19 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the mass. The mass will be followed by a reception at the Nome Schoolhouse. Burial will be held in the spring. 

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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