William Dwayne Rupe was born on October 3, 1927 in Bloomfield, IA to William Alfred and Icle Collins Rupe. He Passed away on July 17, 2014 at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine at the age of 86.
Dwayne attended Elementary and High School in Bloomfield Iowa. Later he attended the National Institute of Dry Cleaning. In 1946 he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on March 30, 1948. He married Betty Jane Bootsma on October 18, 1948. This marriage was blessed with 3 children.
Dwayne and Betty moved to Valentine in 1964 and purchased the Ideal Cleaners which they owned and operated until their retirement in 2002. Afterwards, they were free to finally do some traveling. They enjoyed attending Dwayne's Navy shop reunions. In 1998, Dwayne and Betty took a cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary and it was the first time Betty ever saw the ocean.
Dwayne was involved with the Valentine Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years. He truly enjoyed learning about fire prevention, firefighting and serving his community. He would always joke to family how the firehouse chili would cause the sheets to float after going to bed. He was always known for his dry sense of humor and general orneriness. He would often be seen wearing one of his "unique" hats from his massive collection. Dwayne also enjoyed cameras/photography, hunting, fishing, golf and he had earned his solo pilot's license.
Dwayne was a member of the Valentine fire Department, Masonic Lodge, VFW, 9:30 AM Coffee Club and St. John's Episcopal Church in Valentine
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty and a sister, Marlene Myers. He is survived by his 3 children, Jane Ann Rice and Husband Jimmy of Chadron, NE, John Kevin Rupe and wife Joan of Valentine, NE and Karen Kay Campbell and husband Tom of Elizabethtown, KY; grandchildren, Adam and Scott Rupe, Tom Campbell III and wife Mary, Heather Viamonte and husband Malvin and Talya D. Rice; great grandchildren, Tommy, Sean and Elizabeth Campbell, Luca Viamonte and Colter Shellito. Also surviving is on sister, Ardath Pearson of Grinnell, Iowa.
Memorial service for Dwayne and Betty Rupe will be on Saturday, August 23 at noon at the Valentine Fire Hall. Inurnment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine.