John "Jerry" Welter Feb. 17, 1935 - June 26, 2025

Jerry Welter passed peacefully on June 26, 2025 surrounded by loving family.

      John (Jerry) Welter was born on Feb. 17, 1935 in Monticello, Iowa to Jack and Rose Kramer Welter. Jerry graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. He married Ruth Muller Welter on Oct. 26, 1957. He and Ruth farmed until their retirement in 1998, where Jerry still spent much time at the farm he so loved.  Jerry served as past president of the Monticello Community School Board, the Monticello Lions Club, and the Jones County Farm Bureau as well as serving as treasurer of the Jones County Republicans. He served four terms as District 56 House Representative in the Iowa legislature where he chaired the House Transportation Committee.  After his terms in the House, Jerry served several terms on the Monticello City Council and was active in the Monticello Rotary Club. He was a life-long member of Sacred Heart Parish as well as the Corn Growers Association and the Soybean Association. 

      He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, of 68 years; daughter Cindy (Tom) Bagge and daughter Kathy (Steve) Krusie; grandchildren, Amy (Riley) Smith, Danielle (Eric) Napravnik, Megan (Bill) Winfrey, and Jason (Abby) Krusie; great-grandchildren, Sloane Smith, Emma and Ava Napravnik and James and Jack Winfrey. 

      He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Rose, and brothers, Eldon and Lloyd Welter.

      Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello where friends called after 9 a.m.  Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date.  Military Honors will accorded by the United States Army.   Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello has taken Jerry and his family into their care. 

      In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be sent to Animal Welfare Friends Shelter, 22407 Business Highway 151, Monticello, IA or Monticello School Foundation, PO Box 2, Monticello, IA. 

      A special thank you to Above and Beyond of Monticello and Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation or their gentle care and compassion for Jerry in his last weeks of life.