Obituary

Peg (Margaret) Ann Smith (Née Dittmer) was born February 12, 1942 in Bethel, Alaska where her parents were Moravian Missionaries. She entered the Lord’s presence at home on September 7, 2021 in Nooksack, WA. She is survived by her husband, The Reverend Bob (Robert) Harry Smith of Nooksack, WA. They had just celebrated 60 years of marriage as they were married July 15, 1961 in Sister Bay, WI.

Peg is additionally survived by Brenda (Smith) Martinez – Daughter, Dave Smith – Son, James Phillip Dittmer Jr. – Brother and his wife Margie, Jean Phyllis Whittaker – Sister, Jaime Martinez – Grandson, Angelina Martinez – Granddaughter, Nieces and Nephews – Emily (Jon) Terres, Anthony (Emily) Dittmer, Amanda (Brett) Wright and 6 great nieces and nephews.

Peg is preceded in death by The Reverend James Phillip Dittmer Sr. – Father, Grace Helen Dittmer (Née Giesler) – Mother, Frederick Arthur Dittmer – Brother and Aubrey Grace Wright – Great Niece

Favorite memories of Peg include her love of flowers and always being on the hunt for the flower called Indian Paintbrush, her sense of humor, her return to St. Croix with her family, her openness to diverse peoples and cultures, traveling with her husband to various locations including Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York City, Washington, D.C., Florida, Arkansas, Missouri, California, Colorado, Utah, etc.

Some of her favorite activities included participating in church activities, singing, playing the piano, avidly reading, studying the Bible, watching shows on science, nature and outer space, visiting museums, doing jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, knitting, sewing, cooking, baking, gardening, drying flowers, and camping.

Peg was born in Bethel, Alaska where she lived until she was 14. Her parents took a furlough to the lower 48 when her father became ill, so then she lived in St. Charles, MN followed by Wheatland, ND. The family later moved to Sister Bay, WI where she graduated from Gibraltar High School. At church camp she met her husband-to-be who was also from Sister Bay. Peg then attended Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA for one year and married Bob (who had been studying at Moravian Theological Seminary which was on the same campus). They then left to be missionaries in Christiansted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Their daughter, Brenda, was born while they lived there. Three years later, due to Peg’s health, they returned to Wisconsin where Bob served the Rudolph and Veedum Moravian Churches. While they were there, their second child, David, was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Bob then accepted a call the Glenwood Moravian Church in Madison, WI. Next came the call to the Fargo Moravian Church in North Dakota. Peg attended NDSU for nursing while they were in Fargo and then used her medical terminology knowledge and began working at Blue Cross Insurance. Following that came the call to the DeForest Moravian Church in Wisconsin. Bob then studied to become a Chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. When he graduated, he became the Chaplain of the Good Shepherd Nursing home in Seymour, WI. Peg then decided to study medical transcription at Fox Valley Technical College and earned her certificate. She then began working at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital as a Medical Transcriptionist, which she absolutely loved. When Bob and Peg retired, they moved to Washington State to be near their two grandchildren Jaime and Angelina and daughter Brenda. They attended Nooksack Valley Reformed Church in Nooksack, WA.

Nearly twenty years ago, Peg was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. She long outlived her prognosis, for which we are grateful. We will fondly remember her beauty and gorgeous smile, her joyful laughter and silliness, her love for her Lord, her tremendous faith, her love for her family, her humility and forgiveness and her admiration for the splendor of flowers and landscapes.

Because of the upsurge  of COVID, it was decided to delay a memorial service for the time being. A memorial service will be held at an appropriate time.

It is suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association or Whatcom Hospice Foundation.