Delbert 'Pappy' Louis Dekat

Delbert “Pappy” Louis Dekat, 81, passed away Thursday, July 22, 2010, at the Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care Center, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born November 15, 1928 in rural Pottawatomie County, the son of Meinrad and Loretta (Riat) Dekat. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Flush High School in 1947. He served in the Kansas National Guard from 1947 to 1948. Delbert also went into the Army on January 6, 1953 and lived in Chicago, Illinois and El Paso, Texas for a few years while in the service. On August 5, 1952, he married Belinda Mary Brockish at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Flush, KS. They later divorced. After serving in the military he returned home and bought a farm in Westmoreland, KS, where he settled his family and raised Grand Champion hogs. Delbert was a farmer, custodian, bus driver for the Westmoreland School District and a meticulous carpenter for most of his life. “Pappy” loved to hunt, fish, golf, garden and spend time with his grandchildren. Having his first tomato ripen by July 4th, was his goal each summer. His wonderful gardening skills resulted in a tasty bounty that was happily shared with many family members and friends. He had an abundance of friends who enjoyed sharing in his stories and love of the rural life. Watching his granddaughters compete in their many sports activities and spending time with his grandson gave him much joy. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Flush Council 902 and the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. “Pappy” is survived by his three daughters: Debbie J. Elder and her significant other John Weimer, Chandler, AZ, Cindy S. Dugger and her husband Kent, Manhattan, KS, Mary Kay Gunnels and her husband Chuck, Kansas City, KS; his three grandchildren: Tyler Dugger of Manhattan, KS and Courtney and Carly Gunnels of Kansas City, KS; his six sisters: Jean Lauer, Westmoreland, KS, Geraldine Ebert and her husband Clyde, Wamego, KS, Mary Dolores Schlegel, Manhattan, KS, Dorothy Umscheid and her husband Nate, Wamego, KS, Alice Marten and her husband Bob, St. George, KS and Ruth Walsh and her husband Ron, Wamego, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mass of Christian Burial for “Pappy” will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 26, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Flush, KS. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Delbert will lie in-state beginning at 5:00 p.m. until the Rosary at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. A visitation will follow until 8:00 p.m. Delbert’s casket will be closed. Memorials are suggested to the Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS, 66547. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.stewartfuneralhomes.com