Delbert Coller

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

Service Details

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.

Guest Book

Flowers