Steve Weltha

Steve Weltha, 63, passed away Friday, December 6, 2013 due to complications from an ATV accident. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, December 14, 2013 at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset, where his family will be present to receive friends during these times. A private committal will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Azle Animal Shelter Humane Association, Box 2091, Azle, Texas 76098. Stephen Gene Weltha was born in Washington, Iowa on March 11, 1950, the son of William Carroll and Jeneta Tresa (Mottet) Weltha. Steve served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 and was an infantryman during Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. His marriage to Catherine Anne Weltha took place on July 27, 1974 at Corydon, Iowa. Steve continued his military service as a member of the Iowa Air National Guard from 1975 to 1992 and was a commercial real estate developer from 1987 until his death. He was an avid gun enthusiast and a benchrest shooter, but politics was his passion. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cathy Weltha of Azle, TX; son, Adam (Sara)Weltha of Des Moines; daughter, Kaitlyn (Jonathon) Cross of Des Moines; three grandsons, Zander Lee and Brecken Elliott Weltha and Jonah Jonathon Cross. He is also survived by a large extended family including brothers, Billy Weltha of Winterset, Roger (Cheryl) Weltha of Hollister, MO, and Lynn Weltha of Columbia, MO; sisters, Lana Weltha Drebes (Mike Brady) of Hannibal, MO, Gina (Rob) Pyse of Palmyra, MO, and Brenda (Bill) Graves of Palmyra, MO; and many nieces, nephews and a host of loving friends. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald.