Dwaine Lynn Chlapek
1945 – 2026
Dwaine Lynn Chlapek, 81, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born March 20, 1945, in Temple, Texas, to Jerry and Anna Belle Bartek Chlapek, Dwaine grew up in the rural farming community of Seaton. A fun-loving, curious child with a mischievous smile, he attended Lost Prairie School and Rogers High School before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1967—and becoming a lifelong Texas Longhorn fan.
Dwaine spent 38 years with IBM. After retiring, he drove a Georgetown ISD school bus for children with special needs and worked as a standardized patient at the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock. Whatever the job, the people and friendships he found along the way mattered most.
Dwaine married Irene Mayer Bravenec in 1966 and became a devoted family man and father to three children, Anna, Greg, and Matt. He later married Brenda Mueller on April 22, 1990, adding two stepsons, Shawn and Jeff, to his family. They shared 36 years of marriage centered on faith, family, friends, and simple pleasures. He treasured time with his children, especially their annual trips to Port Aransas, where they built sandcastles, walked on the beach, and simply enjoyed being together.
Dwaine loved his dogs, working in his yard, dancing, Czech music, dominoes, a beer—or two—and his Longhorns. Proud of his Czech heritage, he especially treasured the family tradition of making sausage. Above all, Dwaine loved people and generously gave his time whenever someone needed a helping hand.
His strong faith was at the center of his life. Baptized and confirmed at Seaton Brethren Church, Dwaine later served 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.
Dwaine is survived by his wife, Brenda; children, Anna Chlapek Geisenhoff (David), Greg Chlapek, and Matthew Chlapek (Jodi Kanz); stepchildren, Shawn Preece (Heather) and Jeffrey Mueller (Ashley); grandchildren, Kevin Geisenhoff, Jessica Geisenhoff, Colton Preece (Hannah), Haven Preece McKinley (Drew), Camille Mueller, and Noah Bridges; great-grandchildren, Finley and Rowan Preece, with Baby McKinley arriving soon; and many extended family members and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jerry “JD” and Ace Chlapek; his father-in-law, Marvin Mueller; a very special aunt, Evelyn Wolf; and many dear family members and friends.
Trustworthy, kind, giving, and steadfast describe Dwaine, but perhaps what many will remember first is something much simpler: Dwaine’s unmistakable, full-faced smile.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 26, at 11 a.m. at Bert Stuewe Hall at Dale’s Essenhaus, 3900 FM 972, Walburg, followed by a celebration of life. Guests are invited to wear their best burnt orange. Hook ’Em!
Memorials may be made to Hospice Austin or the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, selecting the fund of your choice.