Andrew Wayne Wehde

Andrew Wayne Wehde, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother,and friend passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

He was born near Tipton, Iowa February 2, l933 to Louis and Meta (Jurgens) Wehde. By the time he graduated from West Liberty High, he had attended 8 different schools, including a one-room schoolhouse. It was at West Liberty High that he honed his leadership abilities first as an attendee of Boys’ State, then as president of the Student Council, FFA, and as Class President for three years. The friendships made there have been lifelong.

After high school, he drilled wells, served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict and resumed well-drilling upon discharge. 

He met his beloved first wife, Toodie (Norma) Schmitt to whom he was married nearly 50 years. From this union came three very talented children. It was this wife and her mother who encouraged him to attend college, which he did, graduating from the University of Iowa in 3 ½ years with a Bachelor of Business Degree. Following graduation, he applied to work at the U of I and was placed in the Administrative Computer Department designing the programs that became the foundation of campus finances. During his 36-year tenure, he worked his way up to become Director for 16 years, before retiring in 1992.

He was the consummate husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. His positive attitude was infectious and his upbeat spin on situations and relationships was a joy to be around. His love of young people led him to become a Cub Scout Leader, a softball coach, and an active member of the PTA at his children’s schools and was instrumental in lobbying efforts to save Central Junior High. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan attending most home games up until 2015 when his mobility became impaired due to a stroke. Other interests included golf, manicuring his 1 ½ acre wooded lot and woodworking, especially treehouses and doll houses.

After he lost his first love, he found his second in 2007 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and married Judith (neé Reitz) Harris the following year. They were a perfect match in just about every way. They volleyed caregiving over the years, shared so many happy times, traveled, and lived part-time in Little Rock each winter.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Judith (Judy), sons Shawn Wehde of Sioux City, IA and Douglas Wehde (Cathy) of Corte Madera, CA and daughter Kathryn Wehde of Las Vegas, NV; step-children, Beth Murry (David) of N. Little Rock, AR, Denis Blaine Baum (Joanne) of Mobile, AL, and Matthew Baum of N. Little Rock, AR; grandchildren, Bradley Wehde (Aimee) of Kansas City, MO, Dr. Alison Wehde (Kris Doll) of Buffalo, NY, Riley Wehde of Corte Madera, CA, Hagen Wehde of Corte Madera, CA; step-grandchildren, DJ (Mason), Maxwell, and Blake Murry, James Baum, Ava Baum, Dylan Baum; great-grandchildren Vivienne and Stephen Wehde, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Wehde and mother, Meta (Jurgens) Popp, stepfather, Gilbert Popp, his first in-laws, Nell and Herb Schmitt, brothers, Laverne and Lee Wehde, and two sisters, Lois Hayes and Bernice (Doogie) Pursely.

Visitation and burial will be on Monday, July 1, 2024, in Iowa City, IA. Burial will be at Memory Gardens in Iowa City. 

Memorials may be made to Grace Community Church 2707 N. Dubuque Street, NE North Liberty, IA, or Elite Hospice, 4000 AR-5 Suite 5, Bryant, AR 72022.

The family also wishes to thank Elite Home Health and special caregiver Jessica Blackburn.