Aaron Dion Woltzen

Aaron Dion Woltzen, age 45, of Kensett, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Osage Co-Op Elevator. Aaron was born on March 16, 1979, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Timothy Eric Root and Kim Rosalee Loftsgard. At the age of 4, Kim met Darryl Woltzen, who quickly took on the role of dad for Aaron and the couple raised him and his siblings on the family farm in rural West Union, Iowa. In 1996, as a senior in high school, he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard, the following year he graduated from North Fayette High School. Following graduation, he attended Muscatine Community College and earned his associate degree in feed management. On May 29, 2004, Aaron was united in marriage to Kris Ritzert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City, Iowa. The couple was blessed with two children, Noah and Ava. Aaron worked for many years at Spillville Mill, American Home Patient, and Northwood Ag. He was currently employed at the Osage Co-Op as a feed mill operator. Aaron was the picture of a true American, he had just entered his 29th year serving our country with the Iowa Army National Guard. Aaron’s current rank was SergeantFirst Class at 1034th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. He was deployed three times; the first being from 2003-2004 where he served in Iraq, second, from 2008-2009 he was stationed in Kuwait driving into Iraq, and the most recently from 2022-2023 serving a European Mission going between Romania and Poland. Aaron was a member of the Northwood VFW Post 6779, USBC Bowling Association, and the Elk Creek Lutheran Church. As the president of his church and a lay minister, he found joy in preaching services and sharing his faith. He enjoyed reading, playing cards and D&D, and watching WWE. He also liked trips to the casino to play Blackjack. More than anything, Aaron had a deep love for his family, and nothing brought him more happiness than spending time with his kids. He enjoyed cheering them on at school activities, being a sore loser when they beat him at Monopoly (which happened often!), and going to the movies together. Aaron always made sure they felt his love and support. We will love and miss him forever. Aaron is survived by his wife, Kris; children, Noah and Ava; parents, Kim (Bill) Miller of Waucoma, Iowa, Tim Root of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and Darryl (Becky O’Dell) Woltzen of West Union, Iowa; siblings, Tristia (Matt Brainard) Woltzen, Holli (Steve Krull) Vagts, Geoffrey (Amy) Root, Trent (Shaylee Brincks) Woltzen, Sarah Root, Carie (Mike) Gorman, Amy Daly, Tanner (Dani) Miller, and Cory O’Dell; paternal grandma, Kitty Root; mother-in-law, Jane Ritzert; brother-in-law, Tim (Gemma) Ritzert; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandpa, Stephen Root; paternal grandparents, Alyce and Marvin Woltzen; maternal grandma, Karol Helgerson; nephew, Alex Ritzert; and father-in-law, Lee Ritzert. The funeral service for Aaron will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett. The visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Schroeder-Hoff Funeral Home in Northwood and will continue for one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Military honors will be held after the service at the church on Saturday. Schroeder-Hoff Funeral Home of Northwood is assisting the family with arrangements.