Dennis Albin Drahos

Dennis Albin Drahos, 72, of rural Cedar Rapids, died Monday evening, Jan. 28, 2013. at Mercy Medical Center. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial: St. John’s Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE.

Dennis is survived by his children, Angela Drahos, Las Vegas, Nev., Michael (Alethea) Drahos, Rochester, Minn., Daniel (Jo) Drahos, Muscatine, James (Gail) Drahos, Cedar Rapids, and Christina Drahos, Los Angeles, Calif.; their mother, Linda Schick Drahos, Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Jacob, Anna, Caston and Jack Drahos; brothers and sister, Paul (Jeanene) Drahos and Sylvester “Sub” (Patricia) Drahos, both of Cedar Rapids, Kathryn (Larry) Risius, Lafayette, Colo., and Steven (Malissa) Drahos, Mount Vernon; and a special friend, Kathy Schindler, Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albin and Anna (Dvorak) Drahos; and brother, Gilbert.

Dennis was born Dec. 13, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, and was a lifelong resident of the Cedar Rapids and Bertram area. Dennis was well known and respected in the mechanical contracting industry. He began employment as an apprentice at Tom Bowker and Son in 1963. In 1977, he purchased the company and grew Bowker Mechanical to be the largest mechanical contractor in Iowa. He was an outstanding businessman, role model, mentor and friend to all his employees.

Dennis retired in 2007, but never slowed down and enjoyed the satisfaction of a hard day’s work. He took pleasure in expanding his development property known as Timberlake. He spent most of his time digging ponds, building water features, raising cattle and repairing fences.

Dennis was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and was very proud of his children and family.

When time allowed, he enjoyed relaxing in Florida, taking fishing trips to Alaska and Canada and playing board games with his family. To his youngest grandsons he was known as the “Scrabble King.”

He had a sincere personality, optimistic spirit and a comforting presence that people were drawn to. He was known for his generosity. Denny touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under “obituaries.”

Published Jan. 31, 2013 in The Gazette