Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Rodney Reed Kavalier, 70, died peacefully at home from pancreatic cancer on Thursday, February 5, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born in Waterloo on June 23, 1955, the son of Richard “Dick” Kavalier Sr. and Mary Ann Helm Kavalier. Rodney graduated from Dysart-Geneseo High School in 1973, On June 30, 1978, he married Mary Jo Higgins in Dysart. To this union, the couple was blessed with three wonderful children and two grandchildren.
After high school graduation Rodney became the third generation to run the family repair/implement business in Dysart. He worked as a mechanic, salesperson and ultimately the owner operator of Kavalier Implement. Prior to the sale of Kavalier Implement Rodney chose to become a NAPA parts dealer. His working knowledge of engines and parts was a wonderful match to this additional service line. When it was time for Dick to retire and Mary Jo’s dad to slow down, the implement business was sold and Rodney became a farmer with his father-in-law, Bob Higgins. His knowledge of equipment and Bob’s knowledge of farming practices made for a good working partnership. Rodney was actively farming at the time of his passing.
Rodney was a quick-witted man who was a gifted storyteller and loved spending time with family and friends. If there was a gathering there was always a time when Rodney would tell a story and laughter would ensue. He loved to tease and tell a good joke but never at the expense of another person’s feelings. Because of these qualities he was asked to MC class reunions and was the author of the annual Christmas letter.
He was a faithful man who served his community in many capacities. He became interested in the Masons when Mary Jo’s grandfather became a widower, and he saw how his fellow lodge brothers looked after him during that difficult time. He was very active in the Dysart Masonic Ascalon Lodge 393 and there he found great fellowship, and lifelong friends. He was also active in the Dysart community by volunteering for the Dysart Fire Department and Ambulance service. He took EMT classes with his wife and assisted with the development of more EMT’s as instructors for Hawkeye Tech, and taught classes in Dysart.
Rodney was active in the Dysart United Methodist Church serving on and chairing many different committees. He was also very active in the church youth group. Since Rodney had been a Boy Scout, when his sons grew up he served as the Cub Scout Master for Troop 324 in Dysart. He has also served as the president of the Buckingham Co-op for several years, and took pride in involving younger farmers to gain their perspective on business decisions for the co-op.
Rodney never met a stranger! He was an outgoing man who loved cars, especially Corvettes, and loved to travel. He was able to go to Tokyo, Japan as part of the Boy Scout World Jamboree in 1971 and was a foreign exchange student to Boliden, Sweden in 1972. He introduced Mary Jo to world travel, and they had several wonderful international trips to visit Mary Jo’s sister Holly.
Rodney was an incredible husband and father who loved his wife and children deeply and believed relationships were important. He was consistently kind, caring, and patient. He could fix anything and truly loved repairing and making mechanical things work well. His patience was evident when he taught his children how to complete tasks such as doing an oil change and “orienting” his wife on how to run the combine after she retired from her nursing career. Rodney always enjoyed time with family and friends and would make those events a priority. If a family member or friend needed something he was quick to help.
If you knew Rodney even slightly, you knew he was a staunch Iowa State Cyclone fan. He became even more devout when all three of his children were ISU graduates.
Rodney is survived by the love of his life, Mary Jo Kavalier; children Michael (Kelly) Kavalier and their son Ames, of Stillwater, OK, Dr. Ryan Kavalier of Columbia, MO, and Kristin (Miles) Nieder and their daughter Madeline JoAnn, of Butler, MO; siblings Randall (Deb) Kavalier of Altoona, IA and Roxanne (John) Topliff of Waterloo; sister-in-law Donna Kavalier of Dysart; his Swedish brother and sister Barry and Eva Hőgstrőm and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard Kavalier Jr.
Funeral services for Rodney will be Monday, February 16, 2026, at 10:30 AM, at Dysart United Methodist Church, 602 Tilford St, Dysart, with burial to follow at the Dysart Cemetery. The family will greet friends during a time of visitation on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, and all are welcome to attend a Masonic Service starting at 6:00 PM at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo. Memorial contributions should be directed to the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.
Masonic Service
February 15, 2026
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Locke at Tower Park
4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA
Visitation
February 15, 2026
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Locke at Tower Park
4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA
Funeral Service
February 16, 2026
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Dysart United Methodist Church
602 Tilford St,, Dysart, IA
Please know we are here for you, Ryan and family
MaryJo, Thinking of you,I always valued our friendship. Wishing you peace during this trying time.
I am so incredibly sorry for the family’s loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are headed to the family.
Mary Jo, Dave and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family. We share in your grief over Rodney’s passing and also in your celebration of his well-lived life. Holding you closely in our hearts.
Mary Jo,
My heart cries and rejoices at the loss but the legacy of Rodney and your joint union. Thank you for sharing this with us. I am confident in God’s hand of love and comfort for you and your family as you navigate this new landscape. Never hesitate to reach out and KNOW that we are here to offer th support and care you and Rodney have so freely given us all over the years! Love and prayers always,
Brenda Bowers
Mary Jo, Pam and I were blessed to have you and Rodney as friends. I have a touch of the pain and grief you must be feeling.
When I would be feeling down, Pam would say let us go meet Rod and Mary Jo for Pizza in Traer. Rodney always made me feel better and I knew we could enjoy pineapple on our canadian bacon pizza.
When you guys came down to see me in Green Valley, AZ 2 years ago, it was so much fun to see and laugh with Good friends.
I feel like the world lost a very good man and friend. My prayers and thoughts are with Mary Jo and the whole Kavalier family.
I wish you to share and all the memories of the good times!
With a very Heavy Heart,
Peace and Prayers in my wishes for you,
Kent Miller,D.O. and the late Pam Miller BSN
Mary Jo & family ~ sending my deepest sympathy. Praying that wonderful memories will help you through this difficult time.
I didn’t get to know Rodney very long as I’m relatively new to his lodge. I always enjoyed Rodney’s laughter, kindness and making me feel welcomed… he embodied Masonry. My son, Luke, was Rodney’s last degree work just months ago and we feel fortunate to have had him at the helm during the ritual work. May God bless him and your family! He will be missed.
Rodney was such a kind and loving and witty man, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Mary Jo, Michael, Ryan, Kristin and the Higgins clan, we are so sorry for the loss of Rodney.
He’s been the backbone of the family, farm and community and will be greatly missed by all.
I’m grateful we got to see him at Mom’s celebration of life Thanksgiving weekend last year.
Sending my deepest condolences and sympathies. He will be so missed at all farm meetings and reunions, and everyday! He was always the brightest light in the room. Love you all!
On behalf of Marlene,Lee Overton &family our sympathies too Mary Jo & all the Kavalier family.Your families have supported us & your community. I’m proud to call you Brother Mason.
Rodney was a member of the Boy Scouts while I was the leader. He traveled to Isle Royal and Pikes Peak on two memorable backpacking trips. I always enjoyed his lust for life.
We are so sorry for your loss Mary Jo. Rodney widened our view of the world and for that he will always be remembered.
Mary Jo and family, my prayers and love surround you. I always enjoyed seeing Rodney at Festival of Trees. His outgoing personality brought laughter and fun to many of us
Noreen Hermansen
Mary Jo and family you have my deepest sympathy of the loss of Rodney. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Mary Jo, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Sending our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely Don and Doreen Dethlefs
Sending love and prayers to you all during this sad time. May all your memories provide you comfort and the Lord bless you with peace.
Mary Jo
Jay and I are so deeply sad to hear about your loss of Rodney. We are sending our deepest condolences from Florida and wishing him Godspeed. We will miss his Christmas letters. We always received updating us on all your family activities.💔
Mary Jo and entire Family I am so sorry! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Rodney will be missed by a lot of people! Sounds like he touched so many lives!
I was saddened to hear of Rodney’s passing. I enjoyed visiting with him at various events. He was devoted to Mary Jo and his family and will be missed by many. May memories bring you comfort and may God grant you peace in the coming days. With deepest sympathy
Mary Jo and family,
My prayers go out to you. It was such a joy whenever I had the opportunity to visit with Rodney, and he certainly will be missed. We rejoice in the heavenly reunion to come!
The Peace of the Lord be with you.
Mary Jo and family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Dear Ryan and Kavalier Family, we were so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Our thoughts are with you and your family, and we wish you strength and comfort.
Mary Jo, I was so shocked at the news of Rodney’s diagnosis and am now so saddened that his illness took him so quickly. I can only imagine the loss you and your family are coping with at this time. Reading all the condolences gives me comfort and I hope you as well in knowing Rodney touched so many lives in a positive way. I really appreciate how you made time to check in with my parents in Tulsa on your way thru town on your way to see Michael in Stillwater. I still have fond memories of our meeting Garth Brooks (a classmate of Michael’s MBA class). Rodney used that meeting to inspire a few of his entertaining stories. I know his legacy will live on in all those lives he touched and hope the many memories you two have shared brings you a smile now and then as you cope with his loss.