Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Steven Arthur Weidner died at home in the loving care of his family on May 8, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 85 years old.
Steve Weidner was born to Hamilton Darwin and Calista Susan Ungs Weidner on September 6, 1940, in Waterloo.
Steve graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1958. He obtained his degrees in accounting (1962) and law (1965) from the University of Notre Dame and remained a devoted fan of the Irish. While at Notre Dame, he met the love of his life, Katherine “Kate” Della Maria. They married on June 25, 1966, at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago. They began their family life in Alexandria, Virginia, while Steve served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General office from 1965-1968. They welcomed two children during his service years, then moved to Waterloo, where they welcomed their third child. He and Kate lovingly raised their children in “the Chicago House” at 507 Sunset Road, where they lived for over 45 years.
Steve began his legal career in 1968 with Swisher & Cohrt, where he practiced throughout his life. He served as General Counsel and member of the Board Directors for Powers Manufacturing. He was the attorney for Rath Packing Company, Waterloo School Board and Area 7. He also was an active member of St. Edward’s Church where he devoted countless hours to the school board, parish council, and renovation of the church. He was a dedicated volunteer with the American Cancer Society and Community Foundation of Waterloo and Northeast Iowa.
Steve was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law and friend. He enjoyed lingering over a good meal and conversation at the dinner table, travel (as long as he was driving), golf, birdwatching, and spending time with his grandchildren. He treasured time at the family cabin on Lake Bellaire in Michigan. Steve had a unique ability to appreciate the moment, coining the simple phrase “Now Is Now.”
Steve is survived by his wife, Kate Weidner of Waterloo; son, Geoffrey (Michelle) Weidner of Gainesville, Georgia; daughter, Maura (Kevin) Moore of Western Springs, Illinois; daughter, Kenna (Michael) MacKinnon of Oak Park, Illinois. He also will be greatly missed by his 11 grandchildren Declan and Liam Weidner; John, Katherine, Brian, Maureen, and Dennis Steven Moore; Owen, Colin, Ian and Fiona MacKinnon; and his brother, Mark (Charlotte) Weidner of Waterloo.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Virginia Hogan Weidner, and his lifelong friend, Tom McGarvey.
Visitation: 4:00 -7:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026, at Locke on 4th, 1519 West 4th Street, with the Rosary at 3:30 p.m. and Vigil at 7:00 p.m.
Memorial Mass: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at St. Edward Catholic Church, followed by burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please offer memorials directed to St. Edward Catholic Church or Cedar Valley Hospice.
Locke on 4th is in charge of arrangements. Locke on 4th, 319-233-6138.
Visitation
May 15, 2026
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Locke on 4th
1519 West 4th St., Waterloo, IA
Memorial Service
May 16, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 am
St. Edward Catholic Church
1423 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA
I am so saddened to hear this. Steve was the attorney for the AEA when I worked there (for 37 years), and we spent a lot of time together. He was a kind man with a great sense of humor and he was always available whenever I had questions. May memories bring you comfort and may God grant you peace in the coming days.
My sincere condolences to Steve’s family. A great attorney and guy that will be sorely missed. I worked with Steve while at Rath Packing and then for over 35 years at Black Hawk Economic Development. Steve was always willing and able to take on anything I threw at him. Without doubt the Cedar Valley lost one of its best!
I interviewed with “the Steves” during the fall of my last year in law school for an associate position at Swisher & Cohrt 20 years ago. After my interview I was convinced more than ever that I wanted to work at that firm. After that interview I was invited to an in person interview at the firm with the rest of the partners. Of course we all ate lunch at the Sunnyside Golf & Country Club. In conservation I had mentioned that I had been awake since 4 am and the “why” was then asked. I was not about to lie to lawyers I wanted to work with, so I told them I had actually been up trapping with my husband, which of course prompted several more questions. Then, in what I can only believe was a set up, I tried to cut into an ice cream dessert which had a hard chocolate shell and proceeded to splatter it everywhere, including on myself and onto the floor. I recall half jokingly standing up and thanking them for the interview thinking for sure I had just blown it. They all laughed, but inside I was mortified. Steve called me right before Thanksgiving and offered me the position. I was so happy. It had to be at least a year or maybe even two later and in another conversation Steve asked me why I thought they had decided to hire me–and although I would have liked to have thought it was for my “big brain” as my teenage daughter would call it, he proceeded to tell me that after hearing about getting up and doing “hunter trapping/trading” with my husband at 4 am they knew I would be open to doing anything. And that is how my law career began. I have a lot to be thankful for and Steve was a huge part of jump starting my legal career. It was always fun doing research for him in Westlaw since that was a “young lawyer’s thing”. Now is now and it is what it is. Rest easy SAW.
When I moved to Iowa and needed a Will I was directed to Steve by friends and we immediately became friends ourselves. He also drafted a Trust document for my father and said what is his name – no need to spell it. Since his name is Kyriacos Ianni Rouson it did need to be spelled. We had a good laugh over that one. Diana and I really enjoyed many dinners with Steve and Kate over the years and we will miss him very much.
Dear Kate,
Please accept my belated condolences regarding Steve’s death. We became good friends at ND almost from the day we arrived. From our very first classes, we were seated next to each other since our last names started out wei“. And since your brother Joe and I were good friends going back to high school days, I knew you well and was thrilled that you and Steve got together. Having lost Roberta to cancer, I have a Field for what you went through with Steve. And even though you’re feeling of loss is great, you probably are able to experience some relief in that Steve’s suffering is over. I hope our paths will cross one of these days. Rest assured that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Fondly, Bill.