Obituary of Douglas John Delker

Douglas John Delker

It is with profound sadness that the Delker family announces the passing of Douglas John Delker on March 22, 2023, at 73. Doug was born to parents John and Violet Delker on May 24, 1949, in Castor, AB. 

As a child, he attended Castor School and went on to study mechanics at Olds College. He married his loving wife, Val Delker, on July 3, 1971. They moved to Stettler with their young daughters, Alison and Janette, in 1978, when he joined Keith Thompson and Alex Milne to begin the Heartland Equipment Group. Here, he built his reputation as an honest businessman and shared his passion for agriculture and farming in the community. In his later years, he worked for Stettler Dodge, where he found a new passion for selling trucks. Outside of work, Doug also spent 35 years as a dedicated volunteer with the Stettler Fire Department.

His only son, Lance, was born in 1981, completing the Delker family. Doug loved spending time with his family – skiing in the winter and boating on the lake in the summer. The many activities with his kids kept him young. This continued when his grandson, Lucas O’Connor, was born in 2013. One of his favourite activities was terrorizing his kids and his grandson on the tube behind the boat. He often spoke of his trip to Peru with his daughter, Janette, in 2009, saying it was “the trip of a lifetime.”

Doug’s children were the centre of his world. When the calls came in for advice on a project or vehicle troubles, he jumped in with valuable knowledge and would often show up on the doorstep, tools in hand, ready to take charge. This love was amplified when Lucas arrived. Papa would have given him the world if he could have. Nothing made him smile more than to see Lucas happy, and he took every opportunity to take him out for ice cream, a ride on the boat or a round of golf. 

Throughout their lives together, Doug and Val enjoyed many adventures to destinations around the world. When Doug turned 70 in 2020, he retired. With Val by his side, they spent winters at their condo in Manzanillo, Mexico and summers at Glen Echo resort on the Shuswap. He was just beginning to enjoy retirement before his untimely passing.

Doug is lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Val Delker; his children Alison O’Connor (Mike), Janette Delker and Lance Delker (Ashley Ermantrout); his grandson Lucas O’Connor; and his brother-in-law Tony Nichols. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Violet Delker, his sister Shirley Anne Nichols, his niece Gail Anne Nichols, his father and mother-in-law J.D. and Isobel Bergdahl, and his brother-in-law Warren Bergdahl. 

Doug’s life will be celebrated on April 12, 2023 at 2 pm, at the Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, AB. The interment will follow in Lake View Cemetery, Stettler, AB followed by a luncheon at the Stettler Funeral Home.

Should family or friends desire, memorial donations in Doug’s name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta.