Irene E. Welty

Irene E. Welty, 94, of Sioux City, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, at her daughter's home in Sioux City.
A celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, 1801 Morningside Ave., in Sioux City, with the Rev. Paul Mahaffie of St. John's Evangelical Church in Hornick, Iowa, officiating. A private family interment service will be held at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.christysmith.com .
Irene was born on Sept. 3, 1921, in Lark, N.D., the daughter of Orval and Jennie (Den Besten) Copenhaver. The family moved to the Bronson, Iowa, area when Irene was a young girl. She attended Bronson schools.
Ms. Copenhaver married the love of her life, Edwin Paul Welty on April 1, 1938. The couple worked for various farmers in the area until they were able to purchase their own farm on Dec. 18, 1946. Irene and Eddie were partners and best friends. The couple raised two children, the first a spunky red-haired girl, Linda, was born on May 9, 1945. A few years later on Dec. 3, 1948, their blonde-haired daughter, Donna, joined the family.
Irene was a partner on the farm, active in the Women's Christian Society at church, serving as treasurer for many years. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. Irene's family was most important to her. She was the solid rock for her family, always there when someone needed help or support.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Donna and her husband, Lloyd Beauchene of Sioux City; son in-law, Allen Kurtzhals of Sioux City; seven grandchildren, Kim Herbold, Roni Puello, Shelly and her husband, Barry Hammen, Chris Kurtzhals, Doug and his wife, Debbie Beauchene, Matt and his wife, Lisa Beauchene, and Pat and his wife, Dawn Beauchene; one adopted grandson, Chris Bowder. 13 great-grandchildren, Lindsey Herbold Maaske, Taran Michael DeForrest, Maddie Puello, Meri Puello, Michael Hammen, Megan Hammen, Dietrick Kurtzhals, Jake Beauchene, Andrew Beauchene, Shannon Beauchene, Sean Beauchene, Ben Beauchene, and Chloe Beauchene; one very special great-great-granddaughter, McKenzie Kay Walters; a sister, Audrey Olson of Emerson, Neb.; and a brother, Lyle Copenhaver of Hinton, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her special red headed daughter, Linda Kurtzhals.
The family would like to offer a special thanks to Hospice of Siouxland for everything they have done for Irene.
Memorial contributions may be sent to St. John's Evangelical Church in Hornick.