The Hillsboro community recently mourned the loss of former Mayor Delores Dalke and many showed up to pay their respects at the heavily attended funeral at Ebenfeld Mennonite Church last week. Dalke died on May 12, at the age of 82, on what would have been her 61st Wedding Anniversary to her deceased husband John Foster Dalke. She served Hillsboro as the oldest and only female mayor for 27 years before leaving the position in January of 2018. Between her role as mayor and her service on many boards and commissions, Dalke contributed much to making Hillsboro what it is today. Son Matt, who spoke at her funeral, believed that his mother was an extremely special person. He said, “She always made sure that she went out of her way to help others. She was a mom to all of her children’s friends. She believed in developing relationships and strived to help those in need. So many have reached out to me since my mom became ill to tell me how she helped them with financial assistance and/or emotional support or when they were in dire straits. Many of these people I have never met, but Mom made a huge difference in their lives and they are forever grateful. I feel that is a true testament to the person she was.”
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
