Weltha, Ruth Ann Marty (1935-2023)

WELTHA, MARTY, KUBLY, NEUMAN, JOHNSON, BUECHLER, WEILAND, WHITEHEAD, FOSDICK, HERRON, WHIPPLE, ELBERT

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/9/2023 at 10:31:51

South Hamilton Record News
Jewell, Iowa
January 18, 2023

Ruth Ann Weltha, 87, formerly from Randall, Iowa passed away peacefully at Windsor Manor Memory Care Center in Webster City on January 16, 2023 with family by her side.

Ruth was born at home in LuVerne, Iowa on March 14, 1935 to Edwin and Evelyn (Kubly) Marty. She started school at the age of 3 to keep the country school open. Ruth graduated from Vernon High School in 1952 where she played six on six basketball. After graduation Ruth worked at the Algona Insurance Agency and a drug store.

In 1955 Ruth and Judean Weltha's story began when they met for the first time on a blind date. Ruth was united in marriage to Judean on January 15, 1956 at the LuVerne United Methodist Church. Ruth and Judean made their home on the Weltha farmstead south of Randall where they lived, farmed and raised their four children.

Ruth and Judean enjoyed attending the Iowa State Men's Basketball games with friends and traveling to Kansas City for tournament games, playing cards with friends, traveling and spending time with their children and their families. Ruth was a member of Elim Lutheran Church in Randall.

Ruth lived in Ames until August 2022 when she moved into assisted living. She had lived at Windsor Manor Memory Care Center since July 2022 until her passing.

Ruth was a loving wife and mother, an amazing cook and baker and worked hard outside the home driving tractors, walking beans and turkey chores. Ruth began working at Wal-Mart as an associate in 1985 and continued to work until 2017. She was the honorary ribbon cutter for the opening of the new store in North Ames.

Ruth loved spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens, making Kringla for her family and neighbors, going to movies, estate sales, playing her favorite marble game Wahoo, seeing her friends for their monthly luncheon, eating ice cream and popcorn and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Her favorite holiday was Christmas and her home was vastly and beautifully decorated for more than three months with Christmas decorations she had painted in ceramics and/or purchased. Her family also enjoyed her traditional kumla and ham dinner and her homemade pies.

Ruth is survived by her four children: Paula (Wayne) Neuman of Ellsworth, Michael (Karen) of Story City, Cynthia Johnson and her friend (Steve Dickhaus) of The Villages, Florida and Deb (Dan) Buechler of Boone. Grandchildren, Jenna (Heath) Weiland, Devin (Catie) Neuman, Laura Weltha, Ann Weltha, Sierra Weltha, Sarah (Tyler) Whitehead, Kendra (Michael) Fosdick, Timber (Colby) Herron and Tyler (Natalie) Whipple and 14 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband Judean; son-in-law David Johnson; brothers Eldon and Robert Marty and her sister Janice Elbert.

A visitation will be held at Soderstrum Funeral Home in Story City on Saturday, January 21 from 10:00-11:00 with a private service following. Burial will be at Mamrelund Cemetery.

Ruth's family would like to say a special thank you to her care providers at McFarland Clinic, Windsor Manor Memory Care Center in Webster City and Gentiva Hospice of Carroll for their outstanding and compassionate care they gave to their mom. Blessed be the memory of Ruth Ann Weltha.

Memorials can be given to Mamrelund Cemetery.