NW Iowa state Rep. Alons dies after cancer battle

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa state Rep. Dwayne Alons, who was battling renal cancer, died Saturday. He was 68.

Alons, a Republican from Hull, announced his diagnosis last month, but at that point he planned to continue serving in the state legislature.

Lori Dejong with the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull, Iowa, said Sunday that Alons died Saturday. Funeral arrangements were pending Sunday.

Alons was a retired farmer and former Iowa Air National Guard brigadier general. He had represented Iowa House District 4 since 1998.

"From the outside people knew Dwyane as a passionate, dedicated lawmaker," House Speaker Kraig Paulsen said. "But his colleagues knew him to be a dedicated father, grandfather, husband and man of faith. Dwayne showed us how to live every part of life by faith and service."

Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer said Alons did an exemplary job representing people in his district and listening to their concerns.

Alons and his wife, Clarice, had four children and 13 grandchildren. In the House, he most recently served as the chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee.

"Iowa lost a true statesman with the passing of Representative Dwayne Alons," Gov. Terry Branstad said. "I offer my deepest condolences to Dwayne's wife, Clarice, children, family and friends."

A special election will be held to fill Alons' seat, but Branstad will schedule that at a later time.

The district Alons represented includes the cities of Sioux Center, Orange City, Rock Valley, Hull, Hawarden, Alton, Maurice, Granville Ireton and Chatsworth.