Stephen R. Buddi

SIOUX CITY -- Stephen R. Buddi, 66, of Sioux City died Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital, following a long, courageous fight with cancer.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave., with Chaplain Stacey Gerhart officiating. Burial will be a later date. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Stephen was born June 6, 1942, in Sioux City, to Sigmund and Ruth (Hackett) Buddi. He graduated from Sioux City Heelan in 1960. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 until 1962.

He married Diana Crabb Weyer on Aug. 29, 1988, in Sioux City. Stephen was employed with Kind and Knox Gelatin, now Gelita North America, as an equipment operator for 35 years, retiring in 2004.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City. He was also a member of the NRA and the Hawkeye Rifle and Pistol Club. In his free time, Stephen enjoyed fishing, spending time in his rose garden and Iowa Hawkeyes Football.

Survivors include his wife, Diana Buddi; a son, Jim Weyer and his wife, Judy of Monument, Colo.; three daughters, Jacque and her husband, Wayne McFarland of Harrisonburg, Va., Jill and her husband, Brian Friessen of Folsom, Calif., and Janelle Weyer of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two brothers, Barry Buddi and his wife, Charlotte of Omaha, and Chris Buddi and his lifelong companion, Marjorie Carpenito of Utah; 10 grandchildren, Katie, Christopher, Kelsie, Riley, Kyleigh Weyer, Christi Young, Jimmy McFarland, Alex, Eric and Abbie Friessen; a great-grandchild, Isaac Young; a nephew, Barry Buddi Jr. of Omaha; an aunt, Ruth Buddi of Sioux City; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers, Patrick and Nicholas Buddi; and a granddaughter, Jessica Weyer.

Memorials may be given to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City.