Cecil Elwood Kolka passed away peacefully on February 25, 2019 at Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City at the age of 87.
Cecil was born on December 2, 1931 to Violet May and Arthur Kolka. He was born on the Percy Bird place at Coalwood and moved with his family to the Decker place in 1935 and then the Scott place (previously the Paul Fetter place) in 1950.
Cecil started grade school at the early age of 5 at South Stacey School. It only took him 7 years to complete all 8 grades there as he went through the 3rd and 4th grade in the same year. He graduated from Custer County High School in 1948 at the age of 16 and returned home to work on the ranch with his family.
On November 8, 1951 he was sworn into the US Navy and went through boot camp in San Diego, CA. He was then transferred to a Naval Ordinance Test Station in China Lake, CA on the Mojave Desert where he worked as an Aviation Structural Mechanic. The final 14 months of his tour he was aboard an aircraft carrier with 80 planes. He spent time in the Philippines, Japan, China and Cuba. Cecil was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal while serving aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Essex #9. The award was made for completing three years on continuous active service, displaying outstanding “fidelity, zeal, and obedience.” He was honorably discharged on October 25, 1955 at Bremerton, WA.
Cecil returned home to Montana and settled back into the family ranch. On November 18, 1957 he married his long-time sweetheart Delores Green. They built a home on the ranch where they raised their 5 children and worked with his family under the name of Kolka Cattle Company and later Kolka Livestock LLC.
Being involved in the community was important to Cecil. He was one of the founding members of the Stacey Roping Club in 1954 and helped build the roping arena on the Kolka Ranch. He held many of the offices as well as helping to host an annual rodeo for many years.
He was a 4-H leader for 9 years and was instrumental in the development and building of the Stacey Memorial Hall. He also served as a trustee for the South Stacy School in District No 90 for 26 years, 15 of those as Chairman of the Board. He served on the Powder River County ASCS Board and the Predator Control Board.
Cecil was especially proud of raising quality commercial red angus cattle as well as raising and riding good horses. He was someone who never met a stranger, always had a smile to share and loved his family, ranching, flying, roping and hunting.
Cecil is survived by his wife Delores of Miles City; five children: Dean (Jill) Kolka of Olive, MT, Melanie (Ray) Stocks of Bozeman, MT, Marlys (Jon) Stevenson of Dickinson, ND, Melissa (Jeff) Zamora of Cheyenne, WY and Mona (Kirk) Moore of Choteau, MT; one brother Donald (Mary Rose) Kolka of Volborg, MT; fourteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters: Dorothy Fahl and Arleen Richardson.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Stacey Memorial Hall, c/o Emily Madsen, 68 Stacey Road, Volborg, MT 59351
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday March 1, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday March 2, 2019
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Saturday March 2, 2019
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday March 1, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday March 2, 2019
Grace Bible Church
3505 Stower Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Saturday March 2, 2019
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Bert & Helen Woods says
So sorry for your loss. Cecil was a special friend of Bert’s and he will be missed. May God be with you.
Delores Cameron says
Our sympathy to you folks.
Cindy Burris says
Delores and families, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Dave and Cindy Carter Burris
martha crandall says
My sympathy
mona johnson says
Delores and families, my prayers are with you. Cecil was a good friend in 4-H. Enjoy visiting with him.
Cherie LeBlanc says
To everyone, I remember Cecil in my high school when I would go their ranch to visit with Melanie. He was always so very kind. A true cowboy. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.
Deana Harrison says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Cherish the memories it will keep him with you when times are the hardest! Joe ,Deana Harrison and family !
Patti ireland says
Aunt Delores, Mel, and Mona. I’m so sorry for your loss of Uncle Cecil. All my aunts and uncles were such an important part of life growing up in the Stacey community. I have so many good memories of times with Uncle Cecil, including playing cards! He will be missed. I wish I could be there. Know that I’m with you in my heart.
Love, Patti
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the Kolka family.
JAMES L ARNESON says
Rest in Peace Cecil.
Bill and Rita Hanley says
RIP Cecil
Rex Caraker says
Thinking of you in such a difficult time! Rex Caraker
Patsy Brey Houseman says
Delores and family, so sorry for your loss of Cecil. You are in my prayers
Sandy Rabe says
So sorry for your loss. May God give your comfort.
Kathy Hirst says
Thoughts and prayers. It’s was always good to see you both. Miss you in Ashland. Condolences from Ron and I.
Alan & Cherie Eck says
Our sympathy and condolences. May the good memories give you comfort. Rest in peace, Cecil.
bill janssen says
I would like to send my thoughts out to entire Kolka family. May he RIP.
Dallas and Karen Gaskill says
Delores and Family, we want you to know you are in our hearts and in our prayers!
Destiny Carlson says
Thoughts and prayers
Mike & Lynell Denson says
We extend our sympathy and condolences.
Jan Munroe says
Delores, you have my deepest sympathy. I so enjoyed you both in Bible Study. God Bless.
Audrey Haumschilld and Greg Blind says
Oh my Gosh I am sorry to hear about Cecil. Hugs and Prayers are with you all. Love yous .
Doug and Randi Wenz says
Marlys and families, We are sorry to hear about your Dad, he raised a very nice family! You are in our thoughts and prayers, Doug and Randi
Wanda Linnell Richlen says
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family may God give you peace and comfort now and always.
Shannon Barton says
Thinking of and praying for the entire Kolka family. Love, Shannon.
Cody Morris says
My condolences to Delores and family.
Larry & Linda Russell says
To the Kolka family. Sending our heartfelt condolences and sympathy for your loss. May you find comfort in all your cherish memories. Larry and Linda Russell
Jay and Deb Terrett says
Delores and family…we have held you in our thoughts and prayers since hearing of Cecil “going home”! May you all be blessed with Peace and comfort by each other , family and friends and a community that will honor all the hard work and dedication that Cecil gave! We’re sorry we aren’t able to come to Cecil’s service but we will be thinking of you all! God Bless you!
Randy and Katie Ward says
You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Heidi Brewer says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. May God’s healing be with you at this time.
Cathy McDowell and Heidi Brewer
Chris and Trish Gamrath says
Heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Delores and family. Cecil was such a warm light in the Stacey community growing up. Many wonderful memories of a warm smile and always a kind word.
Roger Janssen says
Delores I am so sorry to hear of Cecil’s passing. I always enjoyed our impromptu visit’s . Thank you both for your support along the way. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it down today because of the weather. May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Walt and Helen Jeanne Jones says
We were sorry to hear the sad news of Cecil’s death. Our sympathy and condolences go to you, Delores, and to all Cecil’s family, as well as, his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Mary Rose and their family. May good memories be a comfort to you all.
Andrita Harris says
Kolka Family
So sorry for your lose. My Deepest sympathy.
Hank and Stephanie Scarber says
Delores and family…. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Shawn and Connie McAlpine says
Delores and family, we just learned of Cecil’s passing this week. We are sorry for your loss, and will be praying for you as you grieve.
Dallas Janssen says
Thinking of you Delores, sorry to hear of your loss. Was great to see you two a couple+ years back. Take care & hang in there.
Tom Harrill says
Condolences to the Kolka family. I have many great memories of visits with Cecil and Dolores at the ranch every fall for 40+ years. Their hospitality and the pheasant hunting was a highlight of all my trips.
God Bless the Family.
Claudette Neal says
Delores and family, so very sorry for loss. Hugs and prayers
Steve Kimble says
Delores I am so sorry to hear about Cecils passing . Praying for you and your family. I enjoyed hunting at your place for 7 years with Roger Moles, Greg and the rest of our crew. Miss you and thank you and Cecil so much for having us and a loving friendship that I will cherish forever !! Love you Delores !! RIP Cecil
In Christ,
Steve Kimble
Roger Moles says
Delores, we’re separated a by distance but not in our heart. I pray the Father will comfort you and your family concerning Cecil passing. I am so sorry and wish I could fix this. I am so grateful for being able to come to Montana with the guys and hunt in years gone by. What a great privilege we all enjoyed. You both always treated us like family. I loved participating in the Bible Studies we had on our trips. I found that the folks attending the Bible Studies were just like the folks in West Virginia, down to earth, hard working, solid people. Montana is a lot like home except your mountains are bigger. With much Love.
Rog
Greg Moles says
Dear Delores Mrs. Kolka, Sorry to hear of you loss. My sons and I greatly enjoyed your hospitality when we were on your beautiful ranch hunting. Those memories will be with us always. Especially that year we stayed in the house with you. We had great fellowship. Those will always be pleasant memories. You will be in our prayers with much love. Thanks for sharing your lives with all the guys from West Virginia. As you face days ahead remember our heavenly Father is watching over you and your family. May His grace sustain you in the days and months ahead.
Sincerely, Greg Moles
Robert Cheeseman Cheesema says
A wonderful brother in Christ, my deepest gratitude!