Dalke, Albert (1892-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 24 Jan 1957 p. 8, 10

Birth date: 1892

text of obituary:

ALBERT DALKE

Albert Dalke, son of Cornelius K. and Katherine (Schroeder) Dalke, was born April 10, 1892, at Hillsboro, Kansas and departed this life on Jan. 5, 1957, at the age of 64 years, eight months and 26 days, at his home near Luton, Iowa.

As an infant he moved with his parents to Bessie, Okla., where he grew up. He attended elementary school at Bessie and took two years of high school work at Cordell, after which he attended Bethel Academy at North Newton, Kansas. At the age of 17 he began teaching school in Oklahoma and after three years he returned to Bethel Academy and graduated in 1913. He continued his school work for two years at Bethel College, after which he taught for five years at Henderson, Neb. He was a good student and received various scholastic honors in high school, academy and college.

While teaching school at Henderson, Neb. he married Elizabeth Friesen on May 31, 1917. To this union were born nine children. The surviving children are Herbert of Clinton, Okla,. (Katharine) Mrs. Henry Warkentin of Sioux City, (Alma) Mrs. Clarence Benedict of Wichita, Kansas, (Ruby) Mrs. Arthur Enns of Abbyville, Kansas, Willard of Arvin, Calif., and Alieda and Irvin of the home. Two daughters, Rachel and Bertha preceded him in death, Rachel in 1950 at 28 years of age, and Bertha in 1944 at 21 years of age.

In 1918 he began farming as well as teaching school. Later he gave up teaching and devoted all his time to farming in the Henderson, Neb., area. In 1926 the family moved to Madrid, Neb. In 1938 they moved to Sterling, Colo. where he continued farming until 1942 when they moved to Luton, Iowa. At Luton he continued in the farm work and dairy work until 1945 when he gave up the dairy work. He continued his farm work until about six weeks before his death.

In his early teens he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and was baptized upon his confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a faithful and an active member of the Church all his life and remained faithful until the end. As he moved to other communities he transferred his membership to the Mennonite Church in the area. He served Christ in various capacities through the churches in which he had his membership, as S.S. supt., as member of the Board of Trustees, and whatever else he was able to do. He gave generously to various Christian causes. At Madrid, Neb. he helped in the oragnization [sic] of the First Mennonite Church. He was active in community affairs and became quite well known wherever he lived.

In the home he was a loving and kind husband and father. He provided a fine and comfortable home. Of greatest concern to him was the spiritual welfare of the family. He earnestly endeavored to have daily family devotions, to live examplary [sic] life and to give sound spiritual advice and council. It was his earnest concern and desire to see all his children become Christians. During his last illness he often expressed his supreme joy in the fact that all the children were Christians and encouraged us all to live for Christ continuously.

He enjoyed good health most of his life except for minor and occasional ailments. About two months ago he began to complain of internal pain. On Dec 4, 1956, he submitted to surgery at which time it was discovered that he had cancer. After coming home from the hospital he gradually got weaker. He was able to see all the children at Christmas time which made him very happy.

Realizing his condition, plans were made for the farm work to go on. This gave him peace of mind since building up a farm had been so much a part of his life. The devotional periods with the family were especially precious to him at this time. He often said, “This gives me a lift.” During his last week he got up from his bed as he could. Friday evening he went into a coma. He spent a restless night and after that went to sleep and passed away Saturday, Jan. 5, at noon.

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He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, seven children, two daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, 13 grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon, Jan. 10, at the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church in Luton. Rev. J. J. Esau of Omaha and Rev. Frank Wiens of Luton officiated. Burial was made in the Graceland park cemetery. –The Bereaved Family