Delbert Dean Kolb was born December 28, 1937, the 8th of 9 children born to Rudolf and Amelia (Hintz) Kolb in Bison, SD. He grew up on the family ranch 20 miles Southwest of Bison. Delbert's father believed that if God had wanted man to fly, He would have given us wings, so he wouldn't allow the boys to learn to fly until they were 18. When Delbert was fifteen, his brother, Eldred, secretly taught him to fly. It became one of his great loves. Three years later, his brother, Raymond, who was a certified instructor, gave him "official" lessons and made it legal.
He attended high school in Mobridge, at the Northwestern Lutheran Academy. He met a young woman named Betty Ericsson who also attended school there. After much badgering by Delbert, she finally agreed to go on a date with him. She became his greatest love. They were married in 1956 and had five children together: Wendy Lee, Roland Jay, Dale Eugene, Laura Jean, and Melanie Joy Kolb.
Throughout Delbert's life, no matter what job he held, flying was always a part of it. He began crop spraying in 1961 on the family ranch with his brother, Eldred. The next year he moved his family to Spearfish to work for his brother, Arnold, in Spearfish as a charter pilot, crop sprayer, and aviation mechanic. In 1964, they moved to Sturgis and built a machine shop. He built parts for Homestake Mining Company, area ranchers and together with his brother, Arnold, he designed and built slurry tanks for Arnold's firefighting airplane tankers. But summers were reserved for crop spraying. They sold the shop in 1974, after surviving 2 floods, and moved to their current home on a hill near the Sturgis airport. He continued crop spraying and machine work, as well as rebuilding airplanes and helicopters, and Betty had her hill that she had asked him for.
Delbert and Betty loved to go camping and fishing. He also loved to play practical jokes on anyone he could. He will certainly be missed.
Delbert, 81, Sturgis, died Sunday, March 17, 2019, at his residence.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Kolb; children, Roland (Joni) Kolb, Dale (Tina) Kolb, Laura Kolb, and Melanie (Dave Iverson) Goulet; grandchildren, Roland (Sarah) Kolb, Jr., Charley Kolb, Katie Kolb, Amelia Kolb, Kellie (Ted) Baker, Britta Kolb, Jacob Goulet, and Eric Goulet; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Deanna Kensrud; sister-in-law, Darlene Kolb; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Delbert was preceded in death by parents, Rudolf and Amelia Kolb; infant daughter, Wendy; sister and brother-in-law, Lillian (Lee) Simon; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gilbert (infant), Raymond (Betty), Ernest, Arnold (Florence), Vernon (Darlene), and Eldred (Willeyene); and brother-in-law, Rod Kensrud.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor Nick Haasch officiating. There will be a time of sharing for the family at 10:30 a.m. in the basement of the church with coffee and many stories. Burial at the Date Cemetery, southwest of Bison, will be at a later date.
A memorial has been established.

Click on link to view service folder