Tribute

Julia Kate Weltman Sweet, age 86, passed into the arms of Jesus on Feb. 11, 2025, at her home. Julia was born on March 14, 1938, in Kansas City, MO. In 1962, she married Pete Sweet, who passed in 2004. In 1974, Julia and Pete moved the family to Texas, where she remained a resident for 51 years. She received her BA in Chemistry in 1961 from the University of Chicago and worked as a chemist in the KC, MO, area and TX. Julia loved volunteering in her community. She joined the Red Cross in 1946 at 15 as a Water Safety Instructor to teach swimming. Awarded the Red Cross Volunteer of the Year many times, she was recognized for 60 years of instructing in 2010. She taught First Aid/CPR, swimming, and lifeguarding for many Houston and Irving, TX organizations, scouts, and churches for several decades. Julia was an active member of the ELCA Lutheran Church. She sang in the choir, led Women of the ELCA, taught Sunday School, worked on the Care Team, and enjoyed quilting, making 100’s of quilts per year. Hitting the back-to-school sales, she donated school supplies to Lutheran World Relief, supporting students worldwide. With the help of church members and family, she created 100’s of comfort boxes filled with toiletries, etc., for the sailors at the Port of Houston International Seafarers Center. A lifelong member of the Girl Scouts, she earned the Curved Bar. She was a cadette leader and then a co-leader when her daughter, Karen, achieved her Gold Award. She supervised her granddaughter, Krista’s, Silver Award at the Seafarer Center. Affectionately known as “Mama Smurf”, she volunteered with Karen, Krista, and Pete from 1996-2013 for week-long day camps in Irving, TX that served hundreds of girls. For her granddaughter, Sydney, she was a co-leader from 2003 until their Gold Award Ceremony in 2017. Involved in the Boy Scout movement from 1968-2023. In Cub Scouts, Julia served as a Den Leader and Committee Member. In Boy Scouts, she was a Committee Member, organized Merit Badge Day Camps, taught Swimming, Lifeguarding, Canoeing, and CPR/First Aid. In the district, she was a Cub Day Camp Coordinator, Training Coordinator, and Cub Scout Commissioner. She completed both the Cub and Boy Scout Wood Badge advanced leadership training programs and earned the Silver Beaver Award. With her support, her sons, Erik, Karl, and Jon, and her grandson, Patrick, became Eagle Scouts. Julia loved gardening, surrounding her home and Church with plants and flowers. She was a Master Gardener with Harris County Precinct 2 at the Genoa Friendship Garden and was a member of area garden clubs. Friends and family enjoyed a Celebration of Life at New Life Lutheran Church in Pearland, TX. Fond of picnicking with family, she requested a final one. The church provided hot dogs/fried chicken, etc., had entertainment from a friend, and ended with a “butterfly” release hosted by co-Sunday School teacher, Lorraine. Many miss her presence and look forward to reuniting with her.

Friends & Family

Preceded in death by her husband, Peter Sweet, and son, Karl Sweet. She leaves to cherish her memory: son Erik Sweet, and wife Stacia, daughter Karen Sweet Cheney, son Jon Sweet, and wife Victoria; grandchildren Krista Cheney, Patrick Sweet, Sydney Sweet, and Samuel Werner; and great-grandson Silas Sweet.