Dwaine Chlapek

March 20, 1945 – September 8, 2026

Dwaine Lynn Chlapek, 81, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 20, 1945, in Temple, Texas, the youngest son of Jerry and Anna Belle Bartek Chlapek.

Dwaine grew up in the rural farming community of Seaton, east of Temple. A fun-loving and curious child, he seemed always to have a mischievous little smile on his face. He attended Lost Prairie School, a two-room rural schoolhouse where older students helped the younger children when the teacher needed an extra set of hands or eyes. This simple way of life shaped Dwaine’s lifelong willingness to help others.

He later attended Rogers High School, where he served as class president and held other leadership roles while participating in various clubs and activities. After graduating in 1963, Dwaine attended The University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree—and beginning a lifelong devotion to his Texas Longhorns.

Following college, Dwaine began his career with IBM before the company had even completed its Austin facility. Over his 38-year career, Dwaine witnessed extraordinary changes in technology, the computer industry, and IBM itself.

Retirement from IBM did not mean retirement from working—or from being around people. Dwaine began a second career with Georgetown ISD, where he drove a school bus for 9 years, transporting children with special needs. Additionally, he took on a different role as a standardized patient with the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock, helping future healthcare professionals develop their clinical and communication skills.

Whether at IBM, behind the wheel of a school bus, or portraying a patient for healthcare students, the work itself was never the most important part to Dwaine. It was the people. The relationships he formed with coworkers and the people he met along the way mattered far more to him than any title he held.

He became a devoted family man and father to his three children through his first marriage to Irene Mayer Bravenec in 1966. Life later led him to marry Brenda Mueller on April 22, 1990. They shared 36 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, friends, and simple pleasures.

Dwaine loved and cared deeply for his children and found great joy in spending time with them. Some of his most treasured moments were during their annual trips to Port Aransas on the Texas coast, where he built sandcastles and took long walks on the beach with them.

His definition of family extended to his four-legged children. Dwaine dearly loved his dogs, and few things brought him more joy than heading out each morning to walk the pack. Over the last 30 years, nine beloved dogs found a home, a family, and a dear friend in Dwaine. Rusty, Layla, and Bella are left behind to miss the man who loved them so well.

Dwaine took great pride in his Czech heritage and had mastered a very special skill: sausage making. He eagerly anticipated the annual “Sausage Day,” when the weather was cool, the pot was boiling, and the grinder and stuffer were hard at work—while the beer flowed freely. This event was truly a family affair, but the men in the family cherished it the most.

Dwaine also had a green thumb and loved being outdoors. After a day at work, he could often be found heading straight to the yard to water his plants or simply piddle around in the gardens. Caring for growing things came naturally to him.

Dwaine was at his best in a group of people. He enjoyed socializing, dancing, listening to Czech music, playing dominoes, drinking a beer—or two—and, of course, rooting for his Texas Longhorns.

At the center of this remarkable life was a strong and enduring faith. He was baptized and confirmed at Seaton Brethren Church and remained active in his church homes, serving in lay leadership and men’s ministry at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Walburg, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pflugerville, and Hill Country Bible Church in Georgetown.

His faith didn't mean a life without trials; instead, it provided him with the strength to remain steadfast. The words of James 1:12 reflect the promise in which Dwaine placed his hope: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Dwaine is survived by his wife, Brenda Mueller Chlapek; his children, Anna Chlapek Geisenhoff and her husband David; Greg Chlapek; Matthew Chlapek and his wife Jodi Kanz; and his stepchildren, Shawn Preece and his wife Heather, and Jeffrey Mueller and his wife Ashley.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kevin Geisenhoff, Jessica Geisenhoff, Colton Preece and his wife Hannah, Haven Preece McKinley and her husband Drew, Camille Mueller, and Noah Bridges; and his great-grandchildren, Finley Preece and Rowan Preece, with Baby McKinley soon to join the family. Dwaine also leaves behind a loving extended family and many dear friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him and who will miss him dearly.

Dwaine was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Anna Belle Bartek Chlapek; his brothers, Jerry “JD” Chlapek and Ace Chlapek; his father-in-law, Marvin Mueller; a very special aunt, Evelyn Wolf; and many close family members and friends who were an important part of his life.

There are many words that describe Dwaine—faithful, trustworthy, kind, giving, honest, loyal, determined, and steadfast. But perhaps the thing so many will remember first is something much simpler: Dwaine’s smile. That unmistakable, full-faced smile that began with the mischievous little boy in Seaton stayed with him throughout his life. It welcomed people, put them at ease, and reflected the warmth and joy of the man behind it.

A memorial service honoring Dwaine’s life will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bert Stuewe Hall at Dale’s Essenhaus, 3900 FM 972, Walburg, Texas. The family extends an invitation for anyone in attendance to wear “your best burnt orange” in honor of Dwaine and his lifelong love for the Texas Longhorns. Hook ‘Em!

Following the service, family and friends will gather to celebrate Dwaine’s life, share memories, and honor a man who meant so much to so many.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Dwaine’s honor may contribute to Hospice Austin or the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, selecting the fund or program most meaningful to you.