A.W.E. Auto Service staff pictured on March 11, including (front row, from left) office manager Dahn Kennedy and owner Gretchen Pargeon; back row (l-r) Matt Quigley, Leah Seegmiller, Loren Wrage, Scott Lycett, Christian Dronebarger, Sue McLean, and Del Sealock. The nearly 80-year-old business will celebrate 20 years at its current location on the eastern outskirts of Traer on Friday, April 4, with an open house. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TRAER – Nearly 80 years ago, local men Erroll Allen, John Whannel, and Forrest Edwards bought the service station located at what is now Traer’s Sinclair gas station and the business A.W.E. Auto Service was born.

In just two weeks’ time, the business – once known for selling ‘the best ice cream in Traer,’ according to the late John Whannel’s obituary – will celebrate 20 years at its ‘new’ current location on the eastern edge of Traer at 1001 2nd Street (Hwy 8). Ahead of the business’s public open house set for Friday, April 4, from 2-7 p.m., owner Gretchen Pargeon and office manager Dahn Kennedy answered a series of questions about the historic Traer anchor. Their responses below have been lightly edited for clarity.

From its founding to today, who has owned and operated the business now known as A.W.E. Auto Service?

A.W.E. was founded in 1946 when Erroll Allen, Johnny Whannel, and Forrest Edwards bought the service station at 206 N Main Street from the Wieck Bros. Thus, the name A.W.E. The business was originally a service station, pumping gas and doing oil changes. They were also quite well known for their hand-dipped ice cream.

In 1972, Earl Thierer purchased the business and in 1978, Roger Edwards purchased it from him. In 1992, Mike Pargeon went to work for Roger and in 1996, Mike went into partnership with Roger. In 2000, Mike purchased the business after having worked there for eight years. Mike and Gretchen purchased the current location from Carolyn Vokoun in 2005, and moved A.W.E. there. Mike owned and operated the business until his sudden passing in 2018, with Gretchen being the current owner.

Shop manager Matt Quigley, right, works to replace timing chains on an engine at A.W.E. Auto Service in Traer on Tuesday, March 11, while auto tech Del Sealock looks on. Quigley – referred to by his boss Gretchen Pargeon as a “jack of all trades” – has been with A.W.E. for five years, while Sealock has spent 25 years with the business. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Who are the people behind A.W.E. Auto Service today?

A.W.E. Auto Service is currently owned by Gretchen Pargeon and employs five full-time and three part-time employees including:

-Dahn Kennedy, Office Manager; 26 years

-Del Sealock, Auto Tech; 25 years (part-time)

-Loren Wrage, Service Writer/Shop Manager for 18 years prior to semi-retiring; 20 years (currently part-time)

Shop manager Matt Quigley works to replace timing chains on an engine at A.W.E. Auto Service in Traer on Tuesday, March 11. Quigley has a degree in industrial maintenance technology and is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

-Sue McLean, Napa Store Manager; 9 years

-Matt Quigley, Shop Manager/Auto Tech; 5 years

-Scott Lycett, Auto Tech; 4 years

-Christian Dronebarger, Auto Tech; 2 years (part-time)

-Leah Seegmiller, Auto Tech; 1 year

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Dahn [Kennedy] and Del [Sealock] were employed at our previous location. We ‘inherited’ Loren [Wrage] when we moved to the new location. Ninety-two years combined experience and dedication!

What services does A.W.E. Auto Service offer today?

We offer a full line of automotive repair services including oil changes, tires, brakes, tune-ups, wheel alignments, towing, engine replacement, and small engine repair. We also have a Napa store and small salvage yard at our location.

Where are the majority of your customers from and from how far away do you draw customers?

The majority of our customers are from the Traer area but we have several regular customers coming to us from the Clutier, Gladbrook, Dysart, Toledo, and Hudson areas.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

How does A.W.E. Auto Service give back to its community?

We are supportive of fundraisers and donations to community groups and organizations. We regularly donate to the Winding Stairs Festival, North Tama After Prom, North Tama Booster Club, Traer Ambulance, Traer Fire Department, Traer Chamber of Commerce, Tama County Fair, and the Traer Theatre. We also contribute gift baskets and/or gift certificates to help organizations with their fundraising efforts. Other ways we give back to the community include working with North Tama County Community School District during Career Day and participating in both the Winding Stairs Festival and Holiday Happenings Lighted Parade.

What is A.W.E. Auto Service celebrating on April 4?

We are celebrating 20 years at our location in the old Vokoun Co. facility at 1001 Second Street in Traer. We will be hosting an open house for the public on Friday, April 4, from 2-7 p.m. We will be providing food, drinks, games, activities for the kids and door prizes!

Any additional comments?

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

We love being a part of the Traer community and providing necessary services to our customers. All of our employees are local and have a vested interest in helping the business and community succeed. We not only love the technical aspects of the job, but also the social and personal aspects of it. We have built relationships with families and community members that help all of us to succeed. Thank you for an amazing 20 years at our ‘new’ location!

For more information on A.W.E. Auto Service, check out the business’s website at aweauto.com or call (319) 478-8460.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER