In Memory Of

Terry "Zeke" Delynn Rodtka

May 13, 1951 - Jan 11, 2025

Service

Saturday, February 8, 2025
1:00 pm
Withrow Gospel Mission
246 Withrow Road (RR 4-3)
Withrow, Alberta

Notice

Donations can be made in memory of Terry to the Ronald McDonald House.https://rmhcalberta.org/

Obituary

Terry Delynn Rodtka
May 13, 1951 to January 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Terry Delynn Rodtka announce that he passed away on
January 11, 2025 at home, on the farm that he loved, after a short but hard-fought battle with Squamous Cell lung cancer. If he could have gone back to his eighteen-year-old self, he wouldn't have started smoking in the first place, and we know that he would encourage everyone else not to either. There is a quote by Helen Keller that says "Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see." And so it is with Terry. He no longer has any pain, nor does he have to take all the pills that he abhorred. We find some comfort in that at least.
Terry was born in Rocky Mountain House, the oldest of three boys, to John and Patricia Rodtka. He grew up in the Cow Lake area and loved to spend time with his dad fishing and working together on the family farm. He wasn't one for school though and could hardly wait until he was sixteen so he could quit and go to work. It was while first working at Speight Construction that he got the nickname that stuck with him for life. Everyone there had one and for some reason Billy Speight decided that Zeke would be a good moniker for him. To those of us who knew him well, he has been Zeke ever since.

He partied hard as a young man but later traded in that foolishness for more stability instead. On December 31, 1976, he married Donna Altwater and they spent the next forty-eight years building a life together. They have two sons: Delynn William John and Tyson Christopher. Terry had a commendable work ethic and when the oil patch 'tanked' in the early 80's, he worked overseas on an offshore rig for WODECO, a subsidiary of Fluor Industries, to provide for his family. Following that, he worked again for several other drilling companies but spent the last twenty or so years of his career with JoMax Drilling, having been grandfathered into journeyman status as a driller. He threatened to retire every year during break-up, but it came as kind of a surprise when he actually did. Afterwards, he didn't work off the farm unless it was putting up hay for other farmers in the area. He loved the smell of fresh-cut hay and the bawl of a new-born calf.

Terry was a man of few words and he didn't typically reach out to people he didn't know but he cared deeply for his family and his friends. He is missed by many. Terry was predeceased by both parents as well as his mother-in-law, Mae Altwater, and a cherished brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Sheila Altwater. He is survived by his brothers, Wade and Randy Rodtka, his wife of forty-eight years, Donna; his sons, Delynn, and Tyson (Stephanie Collier) and grandchildren: Theoron, Rhett, Mikenna, and Vailea Rodtka.
A memorial service for the late Terry Delynn "Zeke" Rodtka will be held on February 8 th at 1:00 pm at Withrow Gospel Mission, 246 Withrow Road (RR 4-3) Withrow, Alberta.

Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences

Jordan DeCoteau:

Sorry to hear about zeke. I will always remember working with him on Jomax 12

Bryan and Merna Cermak:

So sorry to hear of Zekes passing, our condolences to you Donna and your family.

Deb Imeson (Osborne):

Donna we are so sorry for your loss
Our thoughts and prayers for you and all of your family

Laurie Archibald:

I am so sorry to hear of Zeke's passing. My condolences to the family and all his friends. He was a fun guy in our youth!

Sandi Dial Manderville:

So sorry to hear of this sad news. During the late ‘60’s when our teenage group were all going to the Saturday night Leslieville dances Terry made the times alot of fun! He always had a big smile on his face and was a comical character. Decades passed and many years later I was happy to meet up with Donna and Terry on Sundays at church.
Sending sincere sympathies to Donna and families.

Heather Holman:

My deepest Condolences to Donna her boys and Families. He will be missed by all. I remember he was always making people laugh. Rest easy Zeke. Hugs to Donna. !

Benita Olson :

So sorry to hear of Zeke's passing. My deepest sympathy to Donna and the boys.

Rhonda Hamilton:

Donna and family,
Sending our sincerest sympathy on the loss of Zeke. He will be missed by many. RIP Zeke.
Rhonda and James McPhail

Clinton Jamieson:

Condolences to the Rodtka family
The big rig in the sky gained another legend. RIP Zeke.

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