White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

Jesup – Ralph Theodore Welter, 87 years old, of Jesup, IA, died Saturday, August 24, 2019, of natural causes at Prairie Hills Assisted Living, Independence, IA.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 30, 2019, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Jesup, IA, with Fr. Jeffrey A. Dole, celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by Pump-Sheer American Legion Post #342. Visitation will be 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 29th, at White Funeral Home, 1315 Main St. Jesup, IA 50648, where there will be a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Friday, at the church. Memorials will be directed to St. Athanasius Catholic Church, St. Croix Hospice, and Camp Courageous.

Ralph was born September 27, 1931, in rural Black Hawk County, the son of Phillip Welter and Cecelia (Schares) Welter. He attended school in Gilbertville, IA and later in life he attained his GED from Hawkeye Community College. Ralph served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. On November 19, 1951, Ralph was united in marriage to Marie Jean Weltzin at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilbertville. They made their home in rural Black Hawk County where they raised their family. Ralph farmed throughout his life, he worked at Rath Packing for 35 years, and drove delivery trucks for many years. Ralph valued education, appreciated nature, and was thankful for the simple things in life. After moving to the acreage south of Jesup, he enjoyed walking the paths he created in the yard. He was a member of St. Athanansius Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters, and Jesup Golf and Country Club.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marie Jean Welter of Jesup, IA; 3 daughters, Chris Walls of Fallbrook, CA, Kathy Grimsby of San Diego, CA, Carolyn (Tom)  Kippley of Holland, MI; 5 grandchildren, Nicole, Jaclyn, Heidi, Denay, and Jessie; 4 great grandchildren, Caleb, Kinley, Zara, and David;1 brother, Lloyd (Shirley) Welter of La Porte City, IA; 4 sisters, Jean Fischels of Waterloo, IA, Alma Schmitz of Denver, IA, Marjorie Guild of Waterloo, IA, and Linda (James) Hughes of Independence, IA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Leo Welter; and 2 sisters, Bernice Schmitz and Irma Delagardelle.

White Funeral Home of Jesup, IA, is in charge of arrangements.