Grace Helen Dittmer
November 24, 1917 - September 10, 2017
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Grace Helen Dittmer
November 24, 1917 - September 10, 2017
Obituary
Grace was born on November 24, 1917 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Carl and Laura Giesler. She was one of seven siblings. After graduation from Green Bay East High School, she immediately began working at Wisconsin Public Service in order to help support the family.
She felt the Lord calling her to mission work and happened to meet a young missionary from Alaska, the Rev. James Dittmer, at church camp. After a long distance courtship, they were married July 20, 1940. They had four children: Peg, Jim Jr., Jean and Fred.
She served many congregations in Alaska faithfully, along with her husband, for seventeen years until he was diagnosed with cancer. After treatment at Mayo Clinic they took a year for him to recuperate and then the couple was able to serve congregations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. While in Minnesota she worked in Finance and Payroll at Waconia Ridgeview Hospital and again after her husband retired.
After the Lord called her husband to his eternal reward, she lived with family members in Minnesota, California and Washington State. Her last five years were spent at Christian Health Care Center in Lynden Washington. She was called into the immediate presence of our Lord on September 10, 2017 at the age of 99 years 9 months and 17 days.
She is survived by two siblings, John (Barbara) Giesler, and Ann LaFortune; Children, Peg (Robert) Smith, James (Margie) Dittmer Jr., and Jean Whittaker; Grandchildren, Brenda Martinez, David Smith, Emily (Jon) Terres, Anthony (Emily) Dittmer, Amanda (Brett) Wright and seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, her husband James, her son Fred and one great grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Waconia Moravian Church, Waconia, MN at 3:00 pm, October 1, with burial at the Zoar Moravian Cemetery. Visitation at 2:00 pm.
7 responses to Grace Helen Dittmer
Tom and Shawn St. Aubin says:
September 10, 2017
We live in the house in Watertown, MN which the Dittmers built in the ’70s. We were pleased to know her prior to purchasing the house as we had been neighbors previously. I trust that she would be pleased to know how much ministry has taken place in this house over the years that we have owned the home. We have had the privilege of seeing a number of people come to Christ here. Additionally, every Monday evening for the last five years 7-8 men meet for a Bible study. We have read her book about their experience in Alaska a number of times. Our prayers for the Dittmer family are being lifted up.
Dennis Stuart Medd says:
September 10, 2017
Grace was a special person in my life. I was so very proud when Western District put on a Chetek Reunion. I went, not really looking for a surprise, but there she was, singing all those nice – – and silly Chetek Songs. She and Jim mentored me good and some not so good times.
Mary and Ron Kolb says:
September 10, 2017
Ron and I have fond memories of Grace and Pastor Jim while members of the Waconia Moravian Church. Grace was a special delight as she had the best stories of mission work in Alaska or just entertaining us at women’s fellowship with her quick wit and humorous antedotes of being a pastor’s wife. I admired her, I respected her but most of all I loved her. RIP, Dear child of God.Mary Kolb
Dalton & Louise Coe says:
September 10, 2017
We remember Rev. Dittmer and Grace fondly when they were at Unionville Moravian, a wonderful loving couple.
Brenda L Denny says:
September 10, 2017
Rev. John and Barbara Geisler, you had an amazing sister. You will miss her,but she has a glorious home now with her Lord.
Let us know where you are now. Have really missed you and the children.
Brenda Denny (King Moravian, 1970’s and 1980’s.