Dwayne Max Henry Bahls

Dwayne Max Henry Bahls, 83, of Elkader, died Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at the Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Norway Lutheran Church, rural St. Olaf, with Pastor Marshall Hahn officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Clayton Center, with military rites. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Leonard Funeral Home, Elkader, and after 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

He was born Feb. 22, 1929, on a farm in Clayton Township, Clayton County, Iowa, the eldest son of William and Irene (Polkow) Bahls. He attended country school in Pony Hollow and the Elkader Public School. Dwayne was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Germany.

He was received as a child of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on June 16, 1929, at St. Paul Lutheran, Garnavillo, Iowa, by the Rev. K.W. Braun. He was united in marriage to Helen Fascher on April 27, 1957, at Norway Lutheran Church near St. Olaf, IA by Pastor Bruce Boyce. Four children were born to this union; Dennis Dwayne, Corinne Susan, Gerry Lee and Laura Beth.

Dwayne received the Rite of Confirmation on Dec. 22, 1957, at Norway Lutheran Church by Pastor Bruce Boyce.

He loved to fish, especially catfish. He also enjoyed Big Band music.

Survivors include his children, Dennis (Sandra) Bahls, Elkader, Corinne Bahls, Cedar Rapids, Gerry Bahls, Elkader and Laura (Kevin) Krych, Marion; grandchildren, Melissa Hines, Jordan (Beth) Bahls, Stephanie Krych and Madeline Krych; great-grandchildren, Ethan Hines and Cheyenne and Zayne Bahls; brother, Donald (Patti) Bahl, Gladstone, Mo.; sisters, Joann Remington, Cedar Rapids, Ida Lou Jilek, Viroqua, Wis. and Geraldine (Bob) Slaybaugh, Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Lavon Downs, Jeannette Schmelzer, Dalores Freeman and Harold Bahls.

A memorial fund has been established.

Condolences may be left with: www.leonardfuneralhomes.com.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 18, 2012.