Daniel

 

 

Tribute to Dad – Herman Dalke

 

 

We gather today, a gentle giant to lay to rest,

As a husband, brother, father he was the very best;

While not any bigger stature than many of his kin,

A giant influence on many of our lives he's been.

 

Born and raised in Oklahoma, a country boy for sure,

Instilled with strong Christian values, as both his parents were.

 While he was in high school he had his first and only fight,

Shielding someone from a bully, doing what he thought right.

 

An uncle's death up in Kansas, they called on him to come,

To help his aunt and his cousin, the harvest to take from;

Hard work and lots of toil and sweat, with barely time to eat,

But still midst all the work and stress, a lady he did meet.

 

The big Oklahoma farm boy, Selma agreed to wed,

But shortly after the wedding, to the war he was led.

Enlisting as a pacifist, he wound up with a tank,

Making the drive with Patton, Buck Sargent was his rank.

 

In his whole stay, only one man from his unit he lost,

The guy wandered away at night, and his life was the cost.

Herman left his foxhole one night, somehow God alerted,

A mortar hit where he had been, a sure death averted.

 

Returning home after the war, with his bride united,

Starting off a life together, so young and excited.

Trying to find work or to farm, they had to move around,

A steady job building bridges, the first career he found.

 

A hard worker, soon was favored, at this job he did stay,

But there was a lot of travel that soon got in the way;

As the children came and they grew, 'twas time for him to heed,

As they started going to school, more time at home they need.

 

That's when a long career started at good old Barton Salt,

Where he soon became a foreman, so seldom any fault;

Always firm, fair and consistent, so very respected,

By all those with whom he did work, or by him directed.

 

Bob, Don, Dan, Ric, Randy, Kathi and David they did raise,

Instilled in them some right and wrong, and the Lord they should praise;

Quietly with seldom raised voice, by example he led,

Though it often was a struggle, he kept them clothed and fed.

 

While raising so many was hard, never did he complain,

Frequently working extra jobs, to get by not to gain;

He respected each job he had, not one to criticize,

A favored trusted employee, 'twas quick to recognize.

 

His teaching through good example, he thought should carry-on,

The things he instructed to Bob, he thought would go to Don;

His faith, kindness and good humor, were all passed through this way,

For all his steady example, we're grateful to this day.

 

 

Herman received a promotion, with Cargill now approved,

Some special time for him and her, to Ohio they moved.

Some special time, indeed, turns out it was very well earned,

That she had malignant cancer, it was suddenly learned.

 

The gentle giant that he was, he stood by her all through,

Knowing that her time would be short, he helped all she could do;

Again, never did he complain, as he took care of her,

Clear until her very last breath, he was her comforter.

 

So, retired and wife passed, many would be end of story,

But laughing at TV alone, was not enough for he.

He began to ponder, wond'ring what for him was in store,

He started back socializing, he opened up the door.

 

Now, there's a Flickinger-Davis extended family,

Three brothers married three sisters, what else could there be?

The youngest sister, Leila, had been married to John,

A very tragic accident, ten years he had been gone.

 

After doing things together, somehow in love they fell,

Herman and Leila married, they rang the wedding bell.

A new life they started to make, one that they now did share,

Her four daughters included too, for each of them to care.

 

Susan, Kelly, Michelle, Deanne were young when their dad died,

Now two were starting their teen years, and two on their own tried.

Their Uncle Herman's intrusion, met initial suspect,

But with his gentle, firm manner, he did earn their respect.

 

There were good times, there were bad times, there were smiles and some spats,

And throughout those first early years, he did wear many hats;

But gentle, kind, yet ever firm, he kept from getting mad,

And gradually yet still surely he earned their trust as Dad.

 

 

Two Silver Anniversaries he has shared with his wives,

For over thirty years with each, he's been part of their lives;

No golden anniversary will he get to partake,

But what a giant difference in their lives he did make.

 

Dad has lived a very full life, can't help but call it good,

And he has strived to live it just the way he thought he should.

A quiet but strong example, he has shown us the way,

To be at peace with our Maker, on each and every day.

 

For he knew God loves us so much, His Son He sent to save,

And that to all who do believe, eternal life He gave.

So now he has left and gone there, to be with God above,

And he hopes we all will join him, to share in this great Love.

 

 

Thank You, Dad,

Dan