Dakota Weller

We unexpectedly lost our beloved son, Dakota (Koty) Matthew Weller, at the early age of 24, on Monday, March 14th, 2022. Koty became the pride and joy of Chuck Weller and Julie Wilson when he was born on August 31st, 1997. As a family they loved to play games, spend time together outdoors and have fun watching movies, cartoons, and NASCAR. Koty also enjoyed spending time with his cousins playing and getting into mischief. He loved to fish with friends and family as well as hunt and spend time outdoors at the cabin in Missouri with his dad and grandpa.

Koty joined Cub Scouts as a first grade Tiger Cub, in Pack 99, making his way through scouting, earning many achievements including, Order of the Arrow and Eagle Scout honors while making many lifelong friends. Koty used Scouting and his summers working at Mitigwa Scout Reservation to grow as the giving leader he was known as. As an East High Scarlet, Koty found loyal friends and passions in the areas of science and automotive. He worked hard enough to earn multiple academic letters as well as his silver cord for completing almost 200 documented service hours. As an adult, Koty pursued his passion for automotive by taking classes at DMACC and buying his pride and joy, a 1977 Trans-Am, because of his love of fast cars and the movie Smokey and the Bandit. Since he had always loved to take things apart he found fulfillment in a job well done as a disassembler at Vander Haag’s, where he found more amazing friends. His most recent point of pride was buying his own house, right down the street from his best-friend Wesley, where he was beginning to make a home with his longtime girlfriend Kelsey.

Koty was 'that guy'. He was known for being responsible with a strong work ethic, making him someone you could count on. When they needed a helping hand Koty was 'that guy'. When you needed help with your car, he was 'that guy'. When you wanted a friend to go fishing, he was 'that guy'. Koty Weller led a life of honor and service, giving of himself when he was able. Even after his passing, Koty continues to be 'that guy' as a tissue donor, helping 75-100 people with his gifts. Once a Scarlet, Always a Scarlet living his life “For the Service of Humanity”.

Koty is survived by his dad Chuck (Joleen) Weller, his grandma Carol Fiser, aunt Deana Fiser, uncle Wayne Daniels, cousins Andy and Connor Daniels and Jackson Fiser as well as his girlfriend Kelsey Reiter, step-brother Dakota Lupkes-Heim, best-friend/brother Wesley Peckham and bonus-sister Jerrica Stroud. Koty was preceded in death by his mom Julie Wilson, his aunt Jenny Daniels, his grandpa Jim Wilson, his grandpa Bill Weller, his grandma Trish McGeehee and his uncle Darold Weller.

Please join us in celebrating the impact Koty made on all our lives at his Scout church, Easton Place United Methodist Church, in Des Moines, Iowa. The visitation will be on Friday, March 25th from 4-7pm with the funeral, graveside services and luncheon beginning at 11am on Saturday, March 26th. Memorial contributions can be made to the Boy Scouts Mid-Iowa Council or to Camp Mitigwa in his name.

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