Edward A. Dalke

Edward Dalke, 84, of Hesston, passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Pine Village in Moundridge, Kansas. He was born September 20, 1938, in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, the youngest of seven children born to Henry and Carrie (Base) Dalke. He spent his first years of life growing up on the Base homeplace in Fort Cobb. Edward prayed to receive Christ as his savior at the age of twelve after hearing an evangelist share the Gospel at his home church, Green Field Mennonite, which was just a few miles away from the Base homeplace. As soon as he was big enough to pull a sack behind him, Edward joined in the family’s work of picking cotton. From a young age, it was his dream to be able to have and run a farm of his own. After his brother Herman and wife Selma moved to Halstead, they helped find work for Edward on nearby farms during the summer. His parents, Henry and Carrie, also made the move to Halstead, Kansas where Edward finished high school. In the summer of 1957, Earl and Darlene Bartel hired Edward as a farmhand, and a certain Joyce Voran as help inside the house with cooking, cleaning, and watching the children. Edward and Joyce were soon smitten with each other, got engaged at Christmas and were married that next summer on June 20, 1958. They had three children together, Ileen, Allen, and Janell. Edward learned how to weld in high school and went to Mechanics school in Denver after high school. These things served him well when he went to work for Hesston Corporation. Soon after Janell was born, Edward got to realize his dream of having his own farm. The family moved to a farm just down the road from Joyce’s homeplace, and Edward farmed that land for over 50 years. He continued at Hesston Corporation while he began a dairy. He operated a dairy for more than 20 years and then drove truck for Sunglo Feeds for nearly 20 years. He served at Garden Church all of his adult life in various capacities including the role of Deacon and Elder. Church and ministry were very important in Edward’s life. He loved his family, loved God and desired that all of his friends and family have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Survivors include his daughters, Ileen Miller of Oceanside, California and Janell (Ray) Zuercher of Olathe, Kansas. Five grandchildren: Clarissa Dalke, Tyler Dalke, Rachelle Clair, Jared Zuercher, and Katelynn Zuercher. Ten great-grandchildren; brother, Norman Dalke of Yukon, Oklahoma; sisters, Ruthie Nightengale of Carnegie, Oklahoma and Edith Unruh of Halstead, Kansas; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Edward was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce; son, Allen; brothers, Herman and Irwin; sister, Ruby Unruh; brothers-in-law, Alvin Unruh, Leo Nightengale, and Bennie Unruh; sisters-in-law, Selma, Norabell, and Micky. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Garden Community Church, rural Moundridge. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/gardencommunitychurch. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, December 2, at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston, with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made out to Avant Ministries (memo line in memory of Edward Dalke) in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Edward A. Dalke

September 20, 1938 - November 26, 2022