Eugene "Gene" Schwake

EUGENE “GENE” HAROLD SCHWAKE, age 83, of Waterville, died on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Traditions of Waterville.

Born on August 5, 1938, in Cresco, Iowa to Fred and Grace (Cable) Schwake. Gene attended school in Howard County and Elma, Iowa. He married Carol Dybevik and together they had six children. They spend eight years in the USAF and farmed in the Elma, Iowa area. Gene married Bonnie Schmidt on September 5, 1977, in Osage, Iowa. Gene worked for various implement dealers as a mechanic. They owned and operated Osage Floral. Gene and Bonnie lived in Culpeper, VA, and Minneapolis before moving to Waterville in 1996, where he worked in property management, retiring in 2005. Gene was the president of the Waterville Lakes Associating and had a passion to clean up and maintain the lakes and shorelines. He volunteered driving seniors and others in “the ride about town of Waterville”, and outside town when needed. He was a trained skywarn spotter and was certified in CPR and first aid.

Gene is survived by his five children; Jeffery Schwake of Elma, IA, Joel (Lettie) Schwake of Elma, IA, Lori Krause, of Osage, IA, Leann (Russell) Robertson of Culpeper, VA, Jodi (Michelle) Schwake of Crozet, VA; two stepchildren: Evan (Laura) Schmidt of Elma, IA, and Vonda (Tyrone) Jacoby of Mendon, IL; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn (Merle) Worple of Elma, IA; and his very special friend, Betty McMillen.

Preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Linda; wife, Bonnie; and his brother, Fred.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at St. Peter (Bell) Lutheran Church in rural Waterville. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be in Howard Cemetery at Elma, IA on a later date.