Judith Ann Welte

Judith “Judy” Ann Welte

Sioux City, Iowa | Judith A. Welte, 66, of Sioux City, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at her home after a courageous 19 year battle with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church in Sioux City, with The Very Reverend Armand Bertrand officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City.  Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present at 5:00 p.m. and Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave. 

Judy, daughter of Paul and Gladys (Vondrak) Niles, was born on March 31, 1950, in Sioux City. She graduated from Bishop Heelan High School in 1968.  While living in Anthon she worked for the Anthon-Oto School District for 13 years and for Heritage Bank for a few years. In 1997 she began her 19 year career at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City, retiring from the business office on March 20, 2016.

When her children were young, she taught religion classes, ran recreational sports programs, directed fund raisers for athletic fields and equipment, served as president of the library board, transported numerous sports teams for MVAO where she was affectionately known as “Betty” and was as a mother figure for many of her children’s friends. She later served as a Hospice volunteer and was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2008.

Judy was an avid Notre Dame, Iowa Hawkeye and Morningside College football fan. She also had a love for animals and enjoyed when her grand puppies came over to snuggle.  She enjoyed traveling with her family, visiting her cousins in California, with a special place in her heart for the ocean.

Judy’s proudest moments were when her grandchildren were born. She took great pride and joy being able to spend numerous hours with them and cherished every moment.

Survivors include her father, Paul Niles and his wife Darlene, children, Philip Welte (Jana) Jacson and Jace and Lisa Krom (Mike) Kayla and Kelsey all of Sioux City; Kristi Boatman (Jeremy) Sienna, Xavier, Ireland, and Zek of Lawton, Iowa; and her children’s father, Skip Welte of Anthon, Iowa.

Siblings include Nadine (Wally) Schlienz of Fort Dodge; Gary (DeDe) Niles, Mary (Jim) Shook and Rick (Renee) Niles of Sioux City; Phil (Lou) Niles of Dubuque, Iowa and 14 nieces and nephews.

Brother-in-laws include Frank Welte (Diane), Bob Welte (Sherry) all of Danbury, Iowa; David Welte of Granger, Iowa and 6 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Gladys; grandparents, Frank and Gertrude Vondrak, Richard and Clara Niles; sister-in-law, Melaine Welte and many aunts and uncles.

Judy maintained many special friendships with her extended WIT family, Paula Rice, and her birthday buddy Diane Hupke.

In lieu of flowers, it is Judy’s wish that new or gently used baby clothes be brought to the services for donation to Birth Right and Mary’s Choice. Memorials can be directed to the family.

The family requests casual dress attire at the prayer service supporting one of her favorite teams or pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Pallbearers include nephews Craig Schlienz, Paul, Chris, Matt and Connor Niles and Ryan Schaffer.