Robert Verl Dilka, 99, passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the Washington County Nursing Home in Akron Colorado.
Robert (Bob) was born in a farmhouse in rural Yuma County on May 30, 1922. Bob was the fifth of seven children born to Frank Louis Dilka and Minnie Lena (Dixon) Dilka. While Bob’s education ended after 4th grade, he would go on to make a life for himself and raise his family in rural Yuma County, always staying close to his roots and his love of agriculture.
Bob married the love of his life, Collen Mae Morris, in a simple service at the courthouse in St. Francis Kansas on January 9th, 1947. To this union were born Donna Jean, Steven Lynn and Peggy Leona.
Bob took on several jobs in his lifetime; from driving school bus at the tender age of 12 (after his brother Frank who had been the bus driver and was called to war), helping to build the Chatfield Dam, tending bar at the old Eckley Pool-hall for his father-in-law, Ore Morris. Bob was not afraid of a hard day’s work and managed to be an excellent worker at any and everything he did. Bob found his forever farming career with Ralph Cannon of Cannon Wheat Farms in Yuma. Thirty years of hard work raising wheat and tending to livestock were spent here. Bob was meticulous in many ways. His tools were always in perfect condition, things were tidy as possible, and animals were always well cared for. Bob took pride in his straight drill rows long before auto steer came to be a part of everyday farming. After his long-awaited retirement at the age of sixty-five, Bob fended off boredom by spending his days at the Beethe Oil station (currently the Viaero store in Yuma), until they hired him to work fulltime. Bob would check your vehicle out with a complete service and a smile. He loved being around people and especially loved the 5’o clock happy hour when all of the locals would stop in. After Beethe’s closed the business then Bob went next door and pumped fuel for the Thresher station for a few years. In his spare time, Bob could be found south at the Harman Ranch restoring an old barn, fixing fence and checking the cattle or looking after the prized chicken flock, and helping the Chrismer Family tend to small everyday jobs. Throughout his years of working in the fields, Bob had a hobby of hunting for arrow heads and artifacts and created a nice collection.
There’s no denying that Bob was always a bit stubborn throughout his life and not always quick to forgive past grievances. Until… Pastor Scott went and spoke to him about this wonderful savior, Jesus Christ. Pastor Scott and his wife were able to reach out to Bob, in a way that no one else ever had before. In Bob’s old house, Pastor Scott baptized Robert at the age of 91.
Robert eventually spent his past years on a ranch south of Otis. He was happy to be out working. Bob had a golf cart that he drove around tacked out with a few trusty tools, a fence stretcher, some wire, his red heeler, Vince and a shovel that deterred pesky rattlesnakes which they may encounter. Following a stroke, Bob lived his past few years at the Akron Greenhouse Nursing Home.
Robert was preceeded in death by his loving wife Colleen, children Steve and Peggy Dilka, his great granddaughter, Cadence Shaffer, all siblings and their spouses; Cleo and Millie Dilka, Eva and Fritz Korf, Lela and Lloyd Korf, Frank and Helen Dilka, Vernadeane and Oliver Allen, and Rita and Winton Friend, sister in law Shirley (Albert) Rand, brother in law Delbert Morris, and a host of other loved ones.
Left to mourn Roberts passing are his daughter Donna Shaffer of Yuma Co, grandchildren, Kim (William) Harman of Akron, Nickolas (Brenna) Shaffer of Yuma, Nichole Shaffer of Baltimore Maryland, Stephanie Wise of Sterling, Chelsea (Tyrel) Hoatson of Hyannis NE, and Lana Dilka of Gothernburg NE. Great grandchildren Lacie, Wyatt, Ryder, Landen, Dawson, Siena, Skarlett, Ace, Tylynn, Bodey, Serenity and Tynle
Daughter in Loves, Leona Francone and Jeanelle Forbes, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, countless cousins and a slew of people who were blessed to know Bob and although, weren’t related, still referred to him as “grandpa”.
A funeral service was held Friday, September 24, 2021 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Interment followed at the Otis Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church.
2021-09-30