Frieda Norris Welburn passed away April 7, 2026 at her home, surrounded by all 5 of her children, Laura, Clinton, Frances, Daniel, and Darrel. She also had 19 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. She was born August 2nd, 1932, in the 6th Street hospital in Silver City NM. She was raised on the family ranch up Sycamore canyon outside of Cliff NM. She attended school at Cliff NM, from 1938 until her graduation as valedictorian in 1950. Her Duroc pig won champion at the state fair that same year. She was attending school at the time so a young boy named Roland Rice showed her pig for her.
From the time she was a little girl, Frieda loved cats, and would often sneak them into the house against her mother's wishes. After high school Frieda attended the newly renamed New Mexico Western College, where she earned her teaching degree. During her junior year, she met Wayne Welburn, who graduated with a teaching degree in 1954. They married on June 7, 1955, in the 6th Street Baptist church in Silver City. The young couple then moved to the small farming town of Alamo, Nevada, where Frieda taught Home Economics, and Wayne taught shop. They established the Pahranagat Valley Credit Union during that time. They moved to North Las Vegas, NV, in 1959, and remained there for the next 44 years.
They became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June of 1960, and remained active members the rest of their lives. Frieda retired from the Clark County NV school district where she worked at the help desk for the Data Processing Center. In 2003 they moved to Gila, NM, where they would live the remainder of their lives. Frieda loved cooking, and was known for her delicious candy, cinnamon rolls, and baked goods. She loved her kids, grandkids, and newborns of all sorts, from calves to kids to kittens. She had two cats, Einstein & Sara, that she doted on. She almost never had a bad word to say about anyone, was kind, gentle, loving, smart, hardworking, and a joy to be around, to the very end of her life. She will sure be missed.
She is survived by her three sons, Clinton Welburn of Gila; Daniel Welburn and wife Janeel of King City, CA; Darrel Welburn and wife Silvia of Cliff; two daughters, Laura Dilts and husband Bryan of Enola, PA; Frances Welburn of Gila; her grandchildren, and great grandchildren; one brother, Curly Norris of Cliff; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Harold Wayne Welburn; three brothers, Harold, Ray, and Kelly Norris; one sister, Wilma Sneddon.
Funeral services will be held at the LDS chapel in Gila NM, on Saturday, April 18th. Viewing will be at 9AM, with services starting at 10am. Concluding service, interment will follow at Gila-Mesa cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Daniel Dilts, Benjamin Dilts, James Dilts, Justice Welburn, Joseph Welburn, Lawson Welburn, Lowell Welburn, David Welburn, Wayne Welburn, and Spencer Welburn.
A potluck will be held after her interment at the LDS Church in Gila NM.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.
