Dalke, David (1886-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 May 22 p. 8

Birth date: 1886 Dec 28

text of obituary:

DAVID DALKE

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet s their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (Psalm 90:10).

This is the way of man. So soon and suddenly the life of our parents has passed away. Less than six months ago we were gathered around the coffin of our dear mother and today father has also gone to be with the Lord. Their life has also been one of much labor and sorrow, and also one of rich blessing. We are comforted to know our parents both knew of a better home in heaven and a living faith in their Redeemer. Just a short time ago, our father in his loneliness expressed his joy and hope for his eternal home in heaven. We are confident that we will once again see him when we also join our Lord and Saviour.

He was the son of the late Cornelius K. and Katharina Schroeder Dalke and was born at Hillsboro, Kansas on Dec. 28, 1886. From Hillsboro, he moved with his parents to Oklahoma where on June 4, 1906, he was baptized by the late Bishop Michael Klassen and received as a member in the Herold church.

He was married to the late Katharina Laewen [sic Loewen] on August 18, 1910, in Cordell, Okla. This marriage lasted 47 years, three months and 26 days. She preceded him into eternity by four months and five days.

Seven children remain to mourn their passing. They are John, residing at Morden, Manitoba; Cornelius at home; Katie, Mrs. Dale Foley of Phillipsburg, Kansas; Arden of Morden, Manitoba; Edna at home. There were 12 grandchildren of whom one has preceded him.

Of his family three sisters and one brother remain. They are Mrs. J. J. Peters of Monroe, Wash.; Mrs. Katharina Klaassen of Winkler, Manitoba; Mrs. P. J. Quiring of Dallas, Oregon; Peter C. Dalke of Killarney, Manitoba.

His parents and four brothers preceded him in death. His brothers were Cornelius, Gustave, Albert, and Herman.

In October 1918 he and his family left the United States and moved to Canada. Laird, Sask. was their first stop but the following spring they moved to Morden where he had farmed since. As the bishop of his home church and a part of the congregation also moved to this locality at this time, they had their own church until the death of their bishop, Michael Klaassen. After a time a part of this congregation joined the Bergthaler Church at Morden. In the Bergthaler Church he has been an active member and has taken part in Sunday School work, Bible study and prayer meetings and the regular Sunday morning worship services. Also in our last endeavor of planning and preparing to build a new church he was a strong supporter. He often expressed his need of spiritual food, the Word of God, for his inner man.

During his lifetime he was always healthy and active, even into his old age. On Friday, the day before his death, he was working on his farm. In the evening he and his children went to see John. Here it was that he suffered a stroke and was taken to the Morden Hospital where he passed away Saturday morning at 6:40. He reached the age of 71 years, three months and 22 days.

We are thankful to the Lord for our parents. How gladly we would have had them with us longer. But the Lord's will be done. We are comforted to know that our parents knew a personal Saviour and had the living hope for eternity.