Cole Austin Dalby, 29, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, June 12th, 2024, in Lincoln, NE. Cole was born July 28th, 1994, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln. Cole was a cancer survivor. When he was 11 months old, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer. He was diagnosed by Dr. Jeffrey David, MD, and Dr. David Gnarra, Oncologist. Dr. Stephen Reynor was his Pediatric Surgeon. He received cancer treatment at Children’s Hospital in Omaha. His cancer had originated on his adrenal gland and had metastasized to a mass behind his left eye and into the bone marrow in his leg. Following 6 months of chemotherapy, they successfully removed one of his adrenal glands and 97% of the cancer. He then received radiation for 6 additional months. After receiving 6 months of chemotherapy, 2 major surgeries, 6 months of radiation, and numerous MRIs, CT scans and X-rays, Cole had completed all his treatments. The next 5 years would determine whether he would “beat” cancer.

Our First Lutheran family and the community gave Cole and his family support through love and prayers. Praise the Lord! At the end of 5 years, Cole was cancer free. The Make a Wish organization of Lincoln granted Cole’s wish to go to Orlando, Florida to visit Disney World. While he was there, Give Kids the World also provided a magical place to stay, and all his meals were provided by Perkins Restaurants. At every meal, the Disney Characters were present to have meals with him. The trip was one of his most memorable experiences. Cole also attended Camp CoHoLo, which is a camp organized for cancer patients and survivors. There he learned how to master tricks on the high trapeze. As Cole attended Morley Elementary School, he made friends with everyone. He was involved in every sport imaginable. He also enjoyed music. He played the violin and went to the Sail Summer String Music Camp, played the trumpet in the Morley band, and played the piano. Cole attended Lux Middle School. He continued to be involved in every sport and was very sociable at school.

While Cole was at Lux, he was introduced to tennis and attended a tennis camp that was sponsored by Julie Hoppe through TeamMates at the Nebraska Tennis Center. Upon entering East High School, Cole realized his favorite sport was tennis. He made the junior varsity tennis team as a freshman and was on the East varsity tennis team in the following years. Cole graduated from East High School in May 2012.

Cole was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church. Cole was active in the youth choir, read scripture for church services, attended Sunday School, and participated in the Advent drama plays. Cole was gifted in using his hands to create several wood projects. He took great pride in his work.

Cole dearly loved his son, Carter Austin, and loved to hear him laugh. Carter loved to convince his Daddy to do whatever he wanted. Carter loved playing trains, going to the zoo and feeding the animals, flying kites, going for rides in his wagon and watching fireworks with his Daddy.

Cole is survived by his son, Carter Austin Dalby (Council Bluffs, IA); grandmother, Kathy Siekman Dalby (Lincoln); grandfather, Charles (DeeDee) Dalby Sr. (North Carolina); uncle, Chuck Dalby (Lincoln); and cousins, Garrett Dalby (Lincoln), Hannah (Dalton Paxton) Dalby (Hallam, NE). Cole is also survived by his great aunt, Kristy (Al) Williams (Lincoln); great uncles: Raymond Dennis Siekman (Lincoln), Darrel (Sue) Siekman (Central City), Dwayne (Nancy) Siekman (East Earl, PA), Dana (Grace Anne) Siekman (Wittman, AZ); and numerous special cousins and countless friends. Cole is preceded in death by his mother, Kelly Ann Dalby, and great grandparents, Raymond and Fern (Erskine) Siekman, and Del and Lea (Owens) Dalby.

A Celebration of Life service for Cole will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20th, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, 1551 South 70th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.