Dalke, Rachel Wilma (1921-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Mar 9 p. 3

Birth date: 1921 Feb 6

text of obituary:

RACHEL WILMA DALKE

Rachel Wilma Dalke, daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Dalke, was born Feb. 6, 1921, at Hampton, Nebr., and departed from this life January 16, 1950, at the home of her parents near Luton, Iowa, reaching the age of 28 years, 11 months and 10 days.

In 1926 she moved with her parents to Madrid, Nebr. and a few years later to Grant, Nebr., where she received her elementary and high school education. In 1939 she moved to Iliff, Colo., to live with her parents and later to Luton, Iowa.

Rachel accepted Christ as her personal Savior at one of the evangelistic meetings conducted by Rev. J. J. Esau in the Mennonite church at Madrid, Nebraska. On May 31, 1936, she was baptized upon confession of her faith by Rev. N. P. Janzen and was received into church membership.

Desiring to get Christian training for service wherever the Lord might lead her, she entered Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where she graduated in August of 1946. She also attended Bethel college at Newton, Kansas for two terms and summer school at Iowa State Teachers college at Cedar Falls, Iowa and Iowa State college at Ames, Iowa. Many close friendships were established at the various places where she has been which brought her large showers of cards and letters of best wishes, and gifts in her time of illness.

Her practical work consisted of teaching in Sunday schools and daily vacation Bible schools, directing young people's meetings and doing personal work wherever she had opportunity. She taught one year in a country school near Grant, Nebr., and one year, 1948-1949, at Piney Woods School for the Colored in Mississippi.

After her study at Ames, Iowa last summer she planned to return to Piney Woods in the fall but could not because of failing health. After being under medical care for about a month it was found that she had cancer of the liver for which the doctors had no cure. It did not seem to disturb her though, for she put her trust in the Lord and committed herself entirely into the will of the Lord.

The family and her many friends from far and near prayed much for her recovery. In the latter part of November we learned of the Koch Treatment by means of which similar cases of cancer have been healed. This treatment was administered to her Nov. 30. She had become very thin and weak by this time and was suffering because of her enlarged liver and other distress. It seemed for a while after receiving the Koch Treatment that she was improving and she was very hopeful for her recovery and even the last week before the end, was planning her future service. Her main concern was to win souls for the Lord.

However, the Lord has seen fit to call her home to her reward. She has been patient in suffering, yielded to the Lord's will and glad to go when He would call. She quietly fell asleep about 5:00 p. m., Monday, Jan. 16, and passed away 11:57 midnight. One sister, Bertha Louise, preceded her in death Feb. 8, 1944. Rachel left a vacant place in our home and our hearts, but we rejoice to know that she is in the better land above.

She leaves behind her parents: three brothers, Herbert, missionary to the Indians at Canton, Okla., Willard and Irving at home; four sisters Katharine (Mrs. Henry Warkentin), Alma (Mrs. Clarence Benedict), Ruby at home, and Alieda, student at Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebr.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Herbert Dalke; two brothers-in-law, Henry Warkentin, student at Fuller seminary, Pasadena, Calif., and Clarence Benedict, farming near Iliff, Colo.; and many friends and relatives who are saddened by her early departure, but are looking forward to the time when we too shall reach home above to be with the Lord and with all the loved ones and all the redeemed in Glory.

Funeral services were held in the home and in the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren church at Luton. The committal took place at the Harry Christy Funeral chapel and interment was made in the Graceland Park cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa. Many relatives and friends came to show their sympathy and to pay their last respects.