Ted E. Delka Jr.

Ted Edwin Delka Jr, the son of Myrtie J. (Bailey) and Ted Edwin Delka, was born March 17, 1961, at Red Cloud, Nebraska. Ted passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Guide Rock, Nebraska on February 16, 2023.

Ted grew up in the Guide Rock community and received his formal education attending the Guide Rock schools, graduating with the class of 1979. Following high school graduation, Ted worked many jobs including oil field work, mining, construction and well drilling which led him to living in Laramie, Wyoming where he met the love of his life, Arla Poledna, in the summer of 1981. they were united in marriage on august 31, 1996, in Laramie, Wyoming. Ted and his family landed in the black Hills of South Dakota in 1990, where Arla and Ted raised their three children and enjoyed hosting friends and family during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for 17 years, before returning to his hometown of Guide Rock in 2007. For most of his adult life Ted worked as a professional over the road truck driver. He was employed with a number of companies in his career and he covered all of the lower 48 states, as well as Canada and Mexico. He loved the challenge of driving, which included hauling extremely oversized loads and sometimes hazardous materials. He enjoyed telling stories and made many friends along the way, many of whom he kept in touch with. Before his passing he was employed by Extreme Transfer, Clay Center, Nebraska. Ted enjoyed his job and loved the people he worked for. He was comfortable on any number of wheels from his motorcycle to the largest of oversized truck rigs.

Ted’s personality was most evident in his strong work ethic and his concern and compassion for family and friends. He always took tremendous pride in caring for his trucks and equipment and was a perfectionist in his work. He was known to “light up” his semi trucks with an excessive amount of detailed lighting options. In his leisure time he enjoyed classic cars, racing, riding his motorcycle, following Husker football and he always considered it an honor when he was singled out for his post and placed in Facebook Jail. His love for his family was immeasurable and he was happiest when they were spending time together.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Myrtie and Ted Delka Sr.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Arla Delka; children and grandchildren: Don (Jennifer) Hansen and children Elijah and Eleanor; Dana (Nathan) Dietz and children Gavin, Adalyn, Thaden and Jordan; Andy (Summer) Hansen and children Arla, Liam and Winter. Also surviving are his sister Edie (Mitch) Watson; a brother Leo (Lisa) Delka and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.

Memorial services were Friday, 10:30 am, February 24, 2023, at the Guide Rock Community Gymnasium with Jeff Ord officiating.

The family kindly requests no flowers and that memorials be directed to the Guide Rock Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 5, Guide Rock, Nebraska  68942

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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