Arlene 'Dynamite' McCauley

Arlene 'Dynamite' Moeller McCauley, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died at her daughter's home in Atkins on Saturday, November 3, 2018. Memorial Service 3p.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Visitation: 1-3 p.m. preceding the service. She is survived by her daughter, Deanna (Bob) Lewis; grandchildren, Brandon Lewis, Amanda Moeller, Heather Kleinhans, and Wade Moeller; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Mercedes, Arryanna, Lydia, and Lainey; sisters, Wilma Varner and Kathleen Schilling; and her cat, Oreo. Born May 31, 1933 in Waterloo to Henry and Hilda (Behnke) Moeller, Arlene spent her early life in Tama County on the Gladbrook Family Farm. She graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1950. Arlene owned two restaurants in town, Arlene's Quick Lunch, and Sunnyside Caf�� before venturing to Cedar Rapids in 1959. There, she married Roswell McCauley in 1965, they later divorced. Arlene worked as a barmaid at different spots including Chybas's, Czech Inn, Shaheen's, and Stop Off, where she earned her name, Dynamite. So many people brought her joy while bartending, it's hard to say thanks to them all. So, in her own way she says, 'Thanks' and 'Yeah, right on.' She also worked as a custodian at Coe College for 14 years. Even when serving on the HACAP Board and Linn County Advisory Board for six years, she was a CUBS fan. If she couldn't get a game, she'd call her grandson, Brandon for updates. She was an avid bowler, reader, dancer, and loved doing both crossword and table puzzles. Holidays were often spent with the Melsha family, and Christmas night was always her time to come to Bob and Deanna's for the evening. Arlene will be missed by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Derek Moeller, and Curtis Charles McCauley; and niece, Heidi Schilling-Monteith. Memorials in Arlene's honor may be directed to the family.