- Born on: February 24, 1942
- Departed on: March 18, 2025
- Resided in: Waterloo, IA
Dwayne R.R. Eilers
Dwayne R.R. Eilers, 83, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, March 18, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home, Waterloo, after an extended fight against cancer.
He was born Feb. 24, 1942, in Iowa City, Iowa, son of Rudolph Joseph and Marie Marguerite “Anna” Beliveau Eilers. He married Karen Baethke on Oct. 16, 1998, in Las Vegas with a reception at the Eagles Club in Waterloo.
Up until his diagnosis, Dwayne owned and rented commercial and residential properties in Iowa and Minnesota while owning ABC Appliance for 13 years, and previously owned Duee’s Pawn in Waterloo and Evansdale for more than 30 years. He had been an active member of the Air Force from 1959-1963 and in reserves from 1963-1965, stationed in both Greenland and Tucson, Arizona. His favorite pastimes included old western shows, hunting, fishing, and playing cards at the Isle Casino.
Survived by: his wife Karen; sons Dwayne (Tanya Clayberg) of Cedar Falls, Christopher of Waterloo, Jonathan (Kristin) Swarts of Waterloo; step-son, Kyle Baethke of Wadena; two daughters, Michele (Jay) Phillips of Davenport, Jennifer (Greg) Svoboda of Vinton; eight grandchildren Tyler Phillips, Julie & Hailey Swarts, Ethan Harper, Kayla Baethke, Emersyn, Gregory III and William Svoboda; three brothers, Douglas of Calif., Gary (Arlene) of Waterloo, Rudolph (Sandra) of Raymond; two sisters-in-law Christiana of Panama City, FL and Katherine of Houston, MO; mother-in-law Donna Baethke of Waterloo; two sisters-in-law; Lori (Jeff) Gerbasi of Golden Valley, AR and Judy Smith of Durham, NC; a brother-in-law Edwin (Sue) Baethke of Waterloo, IA.
Preceded in death by: his parents, Rudolph and Anna; six brothers, LeRoy (Cheryl), Dale, Ernest (Mary), Irvin (Muriel), Percy (Pauline), Orval and two sister, Marlys (Lloyd) Eilers Pettigrew and Gladys Mae (infancy); and father-in-law Wilfred (Delores) Baethke.
Services: A visitation for family and friends will be this Saturday, March 22, at the Isle Casino & Hotel, Waterloo between 12:00-2:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held later this spring at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Raymond.
Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.
