Dwaine E. Bipes, 93, of Onamia Minnesota, passed away on August 24, 2025, surrounded by family.

Dwaine was born on June 17, 1932, in Hector, Minnesota the son of Fred and Dorothy Bipes. He graduated from Onamia High School in 1951 and then attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis until he was drafted to military service in the Korean War.

Dwaine married June Marie Amundson on March 20, 1955, in Onamia, Minnesota. Working together, they transformed an undeveloped property, building a home and outbuildings with lumber from trees they felled, while clearing fields and pastures for raising dairy cattle. Later he husbanded a small herd of beef cattle while cherishing his beloved John Deere B tractor. Throughout it all they raised a family and shared 63 years of marriage.

Dwaine worked a variety of jobs throughout the years including journeyman meat cutter, finish carpenter, foreman for several large commercial construction companies, and safety inspector for the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration. During his professional employment and into retirement he farmed the land he homesteaded.

Dwaine was especially passionate about public speaking and mastered this skill with active involvement in Spokesman’s Club (an organization similar to Toastmasters), which culminated in many years of providing the keynote speech at local Memorial Day ceremonies. He was also dedicated to helping fellow veterans and was an active member of the American Legion and the Onamia Veteran’s Club. He spearheaded the development of the local veteran’s cemetery to its current stellar condition and actively participated in the American Legion and the Veteran’s Club as a member and an officer. Over the years, he passionately supported fellow veterans, proudly guiding them through the process of filing VA claims to secure the compensation they deserved. In his later years he was selected as a member of the Mille Lacs County Board of Adjustment for zoning ordinance and appeals and served in this position for nearly 10 years.

Over the years, Dwaine cherished traveling with his wife. First car camping on a tight budget while raising their family, sparking a love of adventure in their children and later embarking on countless road trips across the Unites States as a couple. Dwaine often shared vivid memories of a 1990 Korean Government-sponsored trip honoring Korean war veterans, where he revisited the front-line combat zones that stole his childhood during the war.

Dwaine loved digging into books and debating history, religion, politics, and current events, always bringing clear ideas that got people thinking. Dwaine had a knack for brightening any room, wielding a charm so natural it could melt the grumpiest frown. Quick with a warm hug or a playful quip about you being his “absolute favorite,” he made everyone feel like they were in on the best kind of secret.

Dwaine is survived by children Mark Bipes (Reinita), Renee Ford (Patricia), Michael Bipes (Janis), Sara Bipes, and daughter in every sense Debbie Jones; grandchildren: Madison Bipes, Alison Bipes, Daniel Agana (Ivy), Glory Ann Rivard (Jeff), great-grandchildren Kayla Rivard, Daniel Mael Agana, Michael Agana, and siblings: Alice Gronli and Mavis Rule.

He was preceded in death by spouse June, parents Fred and Dorothy, brother Marlin and sisters Darlene Polinder and Lavonne Britain.

A celebration of life and open house will be held at the Holy Cross Center in Onamia at 102 Crosier Drive North on Saturday, October 04, 2025, between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Interment will take place at the Onamia Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date.

All memorial donations will be dedicated to Lake Song Assisted Living in memory of Dwaine. Donations will directly support the mission and programs of this nonprofit facility. If you wish to contribute on-line, please use the following site: https://www.givesendgo.com/dwaine

“Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but live in thankfulness that he was”

-Hebrew proverb