"Dorothy was a cousin of my father, Ollie Drahn of Oshkosh. She would visit us often when I was growing up. She loved driving her Studebaker sports cars. Her brother Jack was a second baseman for for the Milwaukee Braves and my hero when I was in little league. Dorothy was kind and fun to be with. We will miss her and offer our sympathy to her family. "
In loving memory of
Dorothy M. Dittmer
January 28, 1926 - April 6, 2014
Madison - Dorothy Dittmer, age 88, entered heaven on Sunday, April 6, 2014, following a long illness.
Dorothy was born on January 28, 1926 to Helen and Leroy Dittmer in Elkader, IA.
She graduated from Elkader High School and went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the University of Dubuque and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Dorothy spent her career in nursing working at hospitals in Des Moines, IA and Kansas City, MO. Later, she became a nursing instructor at the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Oshkosh, WI. In 1962, Dorothy started her 28-year career at Madison Area Technical College (MATC). She finished her career as the Assistant Dean, Health Occupations, retiring in 1990.
Dorothy loved traveling with her friends, playing bridge (including duplicate), Madison Opera, Madison Symphony, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and University of Wisconsin basketball. She was able to watch the UW men's basketball team go to the Final Four.
She is survived by her brother, Jack Dittmer (Darlene), Elkader, IA; niece Lisa Ihde (Kevin), Elkader, IA; niece Jan Garms (John), Elkader, IA; nephew Doug Dittmer (Lylina), Elkader, IA; Dr. Margaret Ellibee (Sue Ball), Little Rock, AR; Chris Ellibee (Sue), Middleton, WI; six great nieces, one great nephew, and two great, great nieces. She was loved and will be missed by her family and friends.
A graveside service is pending at Peace United Church of Christ, Elkader, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Second Harvest of Dane County, Agrace Hospice, or Madison College Foundation.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Sebring Assisted Living and Agrace Hospice for making Dorothy's final weeks comfortable, pain free, and happy.
Tributes
"I was Miss Dittmer's personal secretary at Madison Area Technical College back in the early 1970's. She had a strong work ethic, was an impeccable dresser, was honest and fair minded. I learned a lot from Miss Dittmer. Working at MATC inspired me to go back to school to earn a bachelor's degree. I'm now an instructor at UW-Madison and teach computer software skills for employees. I made a donation to the Madison College Foundation in memory of Miss Dittmer."
"A & P and nursing skills were 2 classes that were useful in my 30 years of nursing and they continue on in our own lives.Looking at people as a whole you develope a better picture and story of our clients. Matc Fort Atkinson.Bless you ."
"Dorothy's love of opera and her years of friendship and support helped to make Madison Opera the company it is today. We are grateful and we will miss her."