Brad Welden

Brad Welden, 76, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at home. Funeral Services for Brad Welden will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 27, at the First Christian Church, 221 Fischer Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa. Visitation will be Monday, November 26, 2018, from 4 to 7 PM, at the Linn’s Funeral Chapel, 1521 Washington Avenue, Iowa Falls.

Bradley Robert Welden was born March 12, 1942, at Ellsworth Hospital, Iowa Falls, Iowa. The son of Robert Glen Welden and Eleanor Candace (Bass) Welden. He attended Central grade school, graduating from the Iowa Falls High School with the class of 1960. He attended the University of Missouri for 2 years, transferring to the University of Iowa, graduating with a civil engineering degree in 1967. He served in the US Army from 1968 to 1969, serving with the 20th engineer brigade in Vietnam. On March 21, 1970, he was united in marriage to Nancy Rae Ward in Pueblo, Colorado. He was employed by and eventually owned, Welden Bros., Inc. of Iowa Falls, retiring in 2002. Being the 3rd and last generation of Welden Brothers, Brad took pride in all the many bridges the company built in the state of Iowa. On drives across Iowa, he could often be heard saying "We just crossed a Welden Brothers bridge!". He was so grateful when he sold Welden Brothers to United Contractors, another family-owned company, as they valued the things important to him. During his early bridge construction years, he and Ron Lettow did custom silage chopping and co-owned a trucking business for a number of years together. 

His engineering and building skills were put to great use during the seven years of ownership of the Copper Cupboard. As he was doing the renovation work, he was excited to discover that the building had been the original Welden Dry Goods, bringing some of the Welden legacy full circle. Some of his passions included gardening, bird watching, dogs, wildlife conservancy, planting trees by the 1000's, metal scrapping, rock and concrete work, and RV trips. One of his favorite RV trips was to view the bridge that Welden Bros helped build in Tok, Alaska on the Alcan highway.  Travel was another passion - especially to Jamaica, where he formed close relationships with the locals and was known for his warm hugs and generosity. Family played a big role in Brad's life, and he and Nancy often traveled to visit their kids and grandkids, as well as friends they had met during their travels around the world. One of the family's highlights was Brad being requested by all three kids and a niece to officiate their weddings.  

He was a member of the First Christian Church, Iowa Falls where he served as an elder and trustee and was responsible for the First Christian Church's Living Nativity scene, the cross on Maundy Thursday, and was well-known for his warm hugs as an usher. He was also a board member of the Barlow foundation, Iowa Falls and a member of the Legion Post # 188, Iowa Falls. He served on the board of the Lighthouse Center of Hope, volunteered at Meals on Wheels and the Thrift Shop, and was a member of the Investment Club. He volunteered as a boat captain for the Scenic City Empress, where he was often asked where the falls were in Iowa Falls.  There weren't any, so encouraged by Shirley Welden, he built a water fall which can be seen from the Washington Ave bridge.   

He is survived by his wife Nancy Welden of Iowa Falls; his children: Clint (Erin) Welden of Austin, TX, Lisa Welden (Mike Williams) of Austin, TX, Melissa Humeston (Tom) of Fort Collins, CO; four grand children: Jared and Alexis Counts of Austin, Texas, Levi Williams of Austin, TX, Alayna Humeston of Fort Collins, CO; and one brother in law, Frank Kloke of Marble Falls, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Glenna Kloke. 

Brad was a man of few words but those words were full of wisdom.  His actions spoke volumes and he always led by example. He is remembered with great love by many, and especially those that got to experience one of his hugs. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:  Brad Welden Memorial; c/o Linn’s Funeral Home; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. The Linn’s Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.