Delbert Dalke

Delbert Dalke of Powell died at his home on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, following a long battle with cancer. He was 79.

Delbert was born on March 16, 1932 in Leola, S.D., the son of Martha (Bender) and Gottlieb Dalke. The family moved to Powell, where he grew up and graduated from Powell HIgh School. In high school, Delbert was a state officer for FFA and loved farming and being a mechanic.

At the age of 18, he joined the Air Force and was a staff sergeant and a chief flight engineer for the 29th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He was a decorated veteran.

In 1954 he married Adeline Tetzloff in Laurel, Mont. They eventually settled in Powell and had many working adventures. One was owning a cafe, where Delbert became a master at baking and cooking. The family always enjoyed his barbecued spare ribs and pies.

He retired from Linton’s Big R as a small engines mechanic.

Delbert enjoyed fishing with his friends and family. He enjoyed being at the Dalke farm and cooking for his family. He attended the Baptist church.

Delbert was preceded in death by his wife, Adeline; parents, Gottlieb and Martha; and brothers Leo Dalke and Vernon Dalke.

He is survived by his sons, Don (Fae) Dalke of Randolph, Utah, and Ben (Michell) Dalke and Dave (Patty) Dalke, all of Powell; brother Ervin (Margaret) Dalke of Lenexa, Kan.; sisters Doris (Gordon) Williamson of Fulsom, Calif., Charlotte (Richard) Eley of Chandler, N.C., Marge (Wes) Bradley of Kennewick, Wash., and Shirley (Bob) Rakestraw of Lansdrone, Va.; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 at Thompson Funeral Home.

Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery.