Dale Delka

Dale Leroy Delka was born on a fence post and hatched in Red Cloud, Nebraska, Feb. 14, 1947. Son of Harold and Olive Delka, Dale was the seventh son and one of 11 children, raised in an honest (somewhat), hardwork- ing (sometimes), and loving (always) family. He attended school in Guide Rock, Nebraska, where he still holds the record for minutes riding the bench, thanks to Coach Holtmeier. Dale was so appreciative of the record setting bench time Coach Holtmeier gave him, Dale later showed his great appreciation by marrying Coach Holtmeier's niece, Diane Joyce Holtmeier (more to come later).

After high school, Dale was drafted and served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He didn't talk about it much. Thanks to photos, it has been ascertained he must have been the troop's top lizard hunter. Post Vietnam, Dale moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where his extensive lizard hunting skills paid off and he found employment with Orkin Exterminators, where he met Diane (thanks, Coach!). Their courtship led to fancy (sparks, flowers, etc.) and they were married Aug. 31, 1969. They were blessed with three children.

Dale and Diane raised the blessings in Grand Island, Nebraska, until 1986 when they moved to Superior, Nebraska. Two of the blessings graduated and moved on, when in 1992 Dale and Diane moved with their youngest blessing to Ellsworth, Kansas, for one year and eventually settled in Beloit, Kansas, in 1993. In 1995, with the youngest blessing gone to college, Dale and Diane continued to fancy one another in Beloit until Dale's retirement in 2007, after which they returned to Superior.

Throughout Dale's life, what he treasured most was his family, both his immediate (Diane and the fancies) and the whole Delka family. At every opportunity, Dale wanted to spend time with his mother, brothers and sisters, and all extended family. There isn't a memory that doesn't have uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. Dale enjoyed social time, golfing, fishing, friends and spreading the manure (philanthropist style). He enjoyed talking about his childhood, growing up in the circus, and how he had been their most exceptional javelin catcher, later promoted to bullet catcher. Truth, have you ever seen a better life resume? (bench rider, lizard hunter, javelin catcher)

Diane Delka died in 2018, preceded by one grandchild, Dale is survived by the blessings, Lynette (Delka) and Jon Armstrong (Hays, Kansas), Troy and Tammy Delka (Lincoln, Nebraska) and Bret Delka (Fort Collins, Colorado) along with seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Dale's funeral was at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at Centennial Lutheran Church in Superior with the Rev. Greg Schaeffer officiating. Interment with military honors was at the Evergreen Cemetery in Superior.

Visitation was 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, at the Williams Funeral Home in Superior and 8 a.m., Monday to service time at the church.

A memorial fund has been established by the family for later designation.