Delbert Colby

Delbert Colby was the youngest son of David Dow (D.D) Colby and Lela Hayward Colby and was born on October 5, 1942. Delbert was born in the corner bedroom of the home located on the family farm South of Palisade, Nebraska.

Delbert started his career in farming at the age of 12 when his dad showed him how to run the old W9 tractor. After a few good passes, D.D jumped off and Delbert was farming ever since that day in one capacity or another. Delbert also provided Custom Farming and Consulting services to many in Southwest Nebraska. Delbert was proud to have farmed the family farm for nearly 40 years, the same farm that had been homesteaded in 1887 by his grandfather, also named David.

When Delbert wasn’t farming or ranching, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding saddle horses. Delbert also enjoyed watching Western movies and listening to country music. He taught himself to play old western ballads on the guitar. Delbert also obtained his Commercial Drivers License with endorsements and drove a truck as well as working in Motel Management with his wife Mary Alice Gleason Colby, whom he adored. Delbert and Mary had three sons. They are in order of their births, Steven, David, and Stan. Delbert always enjoyed providing for his family and the families of others as all good farmers do. He was very proud to have been a farmer, knowing firsthand that it is an equally hard and rewarding career.

Delbert was able to go on one last successful pheasant hut this last season. Delbert went to meet his Heavenly Father at the age of 82 on December 14th, 2024. Delbert was preceded in passing by his wife Mary, who we lost in February of 2016. He will be sorely missed for his expertise in farming and many other subjects as well as his witty stories of old, of which there seemed an endless supply.