Aswegan, Denny 'Ozzy' D.

Dennis “Ozzy” D. Aswegan, 65, of Cedar Rapids, passed away at home on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013. Memorial Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Donovan Santa Maria. A gathering of family and friends will be one hour before the service time. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 727.

Survivors include his wife, Carmen; sons, Michael (Stephanie) Aswegan of Cedar Rapids, Dennis “Buzz” Aswegan of Des Moines and Andy Falco of Cedar Rapids; daughters, Sheri (Larry) Lyons of Long Island, N.Y., Sara Aswegan of Versoix, Switzerland, and Andrea Landt of Cedar Rapids; and brothers, Craig (Ann) Aswegan of Monona, Wis., Jim (Mary Jane) Aswegan of Carlsbad, Calif., and Rollyn (Marlene) Aswegan of Marion, Iowa.

He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a very close extended family with whom he had a special relationship, especially the aunts; and his dogs, Sasha and Willow.

Dennis was born Dec. 7, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Leonard and Evelyn (Reints) Aswegan. He graduated from Washington High School and served in the U.S. Navy for three years during the Vietnam era. For 40 years, Dennis was a railroad engineer, first for Chicago Northwestern and then for Union Pacific. He was passionate about his career and even in retirement enjoyed sitting on his porch listening to the train whistles. Dennis was a longtime member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

He married Carmen Rodriguez in Cedar Rapids on Aug. 29, 1992. Dennis lived life to the fullest, enjoying fishing for muskies with his boys, working in his yard and rose garden, swimming, restoring antique lights, and listening to music and dancing.

He was a friend to everyone and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gary; and sister-in-law, Marilyn.

A very special thank you to Unity Point Hospice for their compassionate care during Dennis' illness.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Dennis at www.stewartbaxter.com.

Published Nov. 7, 2013 in The Gazette