Obituary: Delbert Coller

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In memory of

Delbert Coller

of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 81

Delbert Fay Coller was born on March 2, 1928 to Fay and Keathel (Bovey) Coller in Mitchell, SD. In 1933, he had infantile paralysis and stayed with Gramma Bovey in Kennebec where she cured his illness with bread and milk poultice. In 1935, Delbert attended elementary school in LongValley (Harding School). At the age of 7, Delbert stayed with Jim & Maude Arnold where he worked to pay for room and board. He got 15 cents/day. In 1939, his mother died of kidney disease. For two summers, he worked for Jim and Bertha McDonald. After his Mother’s death, he lived with Rose and Bill Gropper, Ivan and Gladys Stevenson, Wally Ruggles, and George Olson. In 1943, Delbert worked for the “late” Maurice Handcock farming. Delbert was a proud graduate of Kadoka High School in 1946. While in high school, Delbert lived with Rachel White, Francis Gillmore, and also Alice Drury where he got $18.50/mo doing odd jobs. He lived with Tiny Young and worked for Maurice in the summer. In 1949, Delbert began working for Donald Handcock. In 1950 – 1952, he worked for Les Crew herding sheep.
     On Feb. 1, 1952, Delbert enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was a Corporal in the Airborne Army and Heavy Artillery. He didn’t fight in the Korean War as he was an only child. He then joined the Army Reserves in January 31, 1954 through 1966.
     Returning back to LongValley, he met Virginia Lee Goodman. Delbert and Virginia were united in marriage on Aug. 26, 1956.
Together, the couple moved to St. Louis, MO where Delbert attended diesel school at Bailey Technical School. They then moved north of Draper, SD, where he worked for Clarence Berry for 1 ½ years. Delbert moved his family to, what was then, Washabaugh County where they continue to reside.
     Delbert worked for Washabaugh County repairing roads, and also Coon Chevrolet and Bair Ford & Mercury as a mechanic. In 1972, Delbert started and maintained “Coller Repair” at his home place.
     Thankful for sharing his life include: his wife, Virginia of 53 years; two sons - Craig Coller & his wife Diana of Kadoka and their four sons, Mike Coller of Kadoka and his 3 daughters; 3 daughters - Teresa Proctor and her husband Rick of East Stroudsburg, PA and their 2 children, Roberta Coller of Kendall, WI and her 3 children, and Barbara Rokke and her husband DelRay of Maplewood, MN and their two daughters; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law Al Goodman; and a host of other relatives and friends.
     Delbert was preceded in death by his mother Keathel, his father Fay, one granddaughter Marie Georgia Coller, and one great granddaughter Jaylee Dae Coller.

Visitation was held 3:00-5:00 P.M., Sunday, May 31, at the Rush Funeral Home in Kadoka.

Services were held Monday, June 1, 2009, at 10:00 A.M. at the Kadoka City Auditorium

Interment with military honors was held at the Kadoka Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kadoka Nursing Home or Kadoka Ambulance.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, June 1, 2009—10:00 a.m.
Kadoka City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Reverend Gus Craven
MUSIC
Tata West– Vocalist
"Go Rest High on the Mountain"
Tommy Terkildsen
Verna Mae Sharp
“Red Wing”
“On the Wings of a Snow White Dove”
USHERS
Sauntee Coller - Jeremy Coller
Michael Rizzo - Josh Ferguson
PALLBEARERS
Jim Rock - Reed Richardson
Vernie Richardson - Larry Miller
Bill Bouman - Owen Ferguson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Visitation: 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 31st, at the Rush Funeral Home in Kadoka,
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 1st, at the Kadoka City Auditorium.
Interment with Military Honors: Kadoka Cemetery.

Sign the guestbook

Ging and family;
Words can't express the deepest sorrow I feel at your loss and I want to extend my sympathies to the whole family.
Losing a friend as dear as Delbert(old fart) was is going to devistate a lot of people-know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Your Friend;
Pat ~ Pat Kozlik Kadoka, SD (5/28/2009)
Collar family - I am sorry to hear about the loss of Delbert. I remember your dad most from when I was young and I spent lots of time at your place in the country, especially playing in the old "haunted" house. Cherish your memories. ~ Rose Ann (Stratton) Wendell Pierre (5/28/2009)
Craig, Diana & Family - Our sincere symphathy goes out to all of you at your time of loss. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Brock & Brittany Smith Philip, SD (5/28/2009)
At 5'2" on a good day, few could stand taller than Delbert on a bad day. His pride in having assembled a sucessful, self-reliant brood after having had such a rough childhood of his own (with the help of his wonderful wife Virginia, whom he also bragged about constantly) was obvious to everyone with whom he talked. My guess is that he kept it somewhat of a secret from the kids, just to keep them humble. They all need to know how proud he was of each of them now. Virginia and the kids have lost a legendary-sized fan this week. Surely he will be missed. ~ Observer West River Wanna Be (5/28/2009)
Hi Virginia--I'm sorry to hear about Delbert. My sympathy to you and your family. I haven't seen him (or you)for many years but I want you to know I will be thinking about you. Elaine ~ Elaine Staben Bozeman, MT (5/28/2009)
Barb and family,
While it is never easy to say our final "goodbyes" to someone we hold in high regard. You can be rest assured he lived his life to the fullest and beat the odds his whole life. The sorrow you feel will in time be replaced by the fond memories of the happy times, funny tales they told, and things they did that will make you chuckle while remembering them. He will be greatly missed!! ~ John Mattson ldrado@aol.com (5/28/2009)
To Virginia and Family,
It is never easy to say goodbye to someone like Delbert he was the kind of person that would help anyone out when they needed it no matter what was going on. Delbert said what he had to say and he went by that knowing him when I was a little kid when my parents would stop and see both him and Virginia. Delbert would not only share things but he would tell me things about my grandpa Fetter things that I didn't know. Delbert will be greatly be missed in many ways.
Thougths and prayers are with the Coller Family

Charles Fetter ~ Charles Fetter firerescue2@hotmail.com (5/28/2009)
Coller Family,
We are very sorry to hear Delbert passed away. Please accept our sincere sympathies. I have many fond memories of him. He was a great friend. ~ Bruce & Sally Sherburne Sioux Falls (5/28/2009)
Delores & Family, I have never known you & the children,but I have known Delbert all my life. I wish you comfort & peace after such a great loss. I will lift you up in my prayers. Love in Christ, Dutch ~ Dutch Stevens Rapid City S.D. 57702 (5/28/2009)
Virginia and Family,
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of Delbert. He was a good man and will be missed. ~ Kenny & Joan Spears Tuthill, SD (5/28/2009)
Dear Virginia & family,

We just heard of Delbert's passing and want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have so many fond memories of Delbert when our kids were little and visiting at your home. He was one of a kind.
God bless and keep you. ~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland Philip, SD (5/28/2009)
Virginia & family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I have memories of you all when I was small and lived at Berry's. It brings a smile to my face to remember. My sympathy is with you all. ~ Nicki (Ireland) Nelson Midland (5/28/2009)
Ginge & Family
I offer my sympathies to you all. Delbert was quite a guy and will be missed. You always knew where you stood with Delbert. I so enjoyed visiting with you both. Delbert always had something to say about everything. He was a lot of fun to talk with. With sympathies. Patsy ~ Patsy (Allen) Larson Gillette, WY (5/28/2009)
Craig & Di and Family

We were sorry to hear about Delbert. Know that our thoughts are with you!!!

Paul & Steph ~ Steph Ashburn Rapid City (5/28/2009)
Craig and Diana & family
We are so sorry to hear about your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Rod & Darlene Cudmore Fort Pierre (5/28/2009)
Virginia and family I am sorry for the loss of Delbert I will miss him terribly. I am glad that I talked to him on the phone just a couple of weeks ago. My sincere sympathies. ~ Rhonda Terkildsen P.O.Box 91 Belvidere S.D. (5/28/2009)
Dear Roberta and Mrs. Coller,

We grieve with you on your loss. Although we never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Coller, we know that Bert must have had GREAT parents to turn out the way she has. We'll pray that God will strengthen and bless you all in this difficult time, and that the great memories you have together will carry you through until you are reunited with him again.

Love,

Jamie & Gina Gnewikow ~ Jamie & Gina Gnewikow Camp Douglas, WI (5/28/2009)