Rheta Rae Dwyer

Rheta Dwyer, 83, passed from death unto life to be present with her Savior on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at CHI Health Mercy, Council Bluffs, Iowa. As Laura, her granddaughter, said, "She just had the best day of her life." At her passing she was surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and pastor. Songs were sung, prayers were prayed, and Scripture was read as grief mingled with joy.

Rheta will be sadly missed but fondly remembered. She was the wife of Wayne Dwyer for 62 years and always did what had to be done to help her husband support their family. Rheta was a hard worker. Some of her occupations, in addition to being a homemaker, included: driving school bus, waitressing at Perkins Restaurant, working as a secretary in a land survey office, being an integral part of the annual grape harvest at a friend's vineyard, selling Avon and McNess products door to door, raising and selling produce, as well as baked and canned goods at farmer's markets. For several years, they raised hundreds of chickens and sold eggs on a regular route. In her 60's, Rheta went to truck driver training school, graduated, and obtained her class A CDL so she could go over the road with her husband as a co-driver. It was inspiring to see a 5' elderly woman driving an 18-wheeler.

Rheta's best legacy is that of being a believer and follower of Jesus. She became a Christian in her early 30's and never turned back. While living in Janesville, Wisconsin she served with Wayne in Janesville Bible Baptist Temple. After moving to Manilla, Iowa they continued their walk with Christ by joining with the believers at Faith Baptist Church in Carroll, Iowa. As she matured as a child of God, God's love in her was seen in the way she cared for her elderly mother. Her relationship with Jesus manifested in her role as a quiet peacemaker when she became aware of tension between people for whom she cared. Rheta served God by serving others with generous sharing of her talents. She loved crocheting, knitting, and sewing afghans, blankets, stuffed toys, and a couple of special sweaters for people within her sphere of influence. She had great skill in canning and preserving fruit and vegetables raised in the home garden then dispersing them freely to many. Her home baked cookies were famous.

Rheta was the forerunner in her family's acceptance of Christ. Now she is the first to meet him.

Left to cherish her memories, her husband: Wayne Dwyer of Manilla; children: Douglas Dwyer of Beloit, Wisconsin, Suzanne and her husband Kyle Christensen of Defiance, Iowa and Kathleen and her husband Jim Eaker of Janesville, Wisconsin; grandchildren: Thomas Christensen and his wife Alex, Carrie and her husband Haden DeSpain, Scott Christensen, Laura and her husband Evan McKinney, Hope Christensen, Amie Eaker and James Eaker and his wife Ana; great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Emery, Caden, Memphis and Parker; sister: Janet Stewart of Tennessee; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister: Joanne Smith.

In Loving Memory Of Rheta Rae Dwyer

Visitation on Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa

Funeral Service on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa
Pastor Jay Chapman Officiating

Pianist and Violinists are Shelly Brant, Hope Christensen and Stefanie Adams

Musical Selections are "It Is Well" and "Onward Christian Soldiers"

Pallbearers are Thomas Christensen, Scott Christensen, Jim Eaker, James Eaker, Kyle Christensen, Evan McKinney and Haden DeSpain

Honorary Pallbearers are Amie Eaker, Hope Christensen, Laura McKinney and Carrie DeSpain

Place of Rest at Nishnabotna Cemetery, Manilla, Iowa

Following the burial, the family invites you to Faith Baptist Church in Carroll for a time of fellowship and a lunch.