Lois Welch taught English at the University of Montana-Missoula for over three decades, writing scholarly and non-fiction articles, giving talks, directing the Creative Writing Program and chairing the English Department. As Mrs James Welch, she was actively, happily supportive of her husband's literary career in this country and abroad. As his literary executor, she works with editors and scholars on new editions of his work; she is working with film makers Alex and Andrew Smith on the film version of Winter in the Blood. As his widow, she is writing a memoir of their life together. She lives in Missoula.