Dittman, Delbert J. 1929-2004

DITTMAN, ZETTLER, KLEIN, COOPER, EWING, DANIEL, BRYANT, HENRY, FINK, OCONNELL, VERTHEIN, ROTH, ROSENDAHL, SCHNEIDER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 12/13/2010 at 14:16:39

Delbert J. Dittman, age 75, of Waukon, died Tuesday, July 20, 2004, at his home in Waukon following a brief illness. Funeral service were held Friday, July 23 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Family graveside services will be held at a later date. Martin Funeral Home, Waukon, was in charge of arrangements. Delbert Jacob Dittman was born April 14, 1929, in Sheldon, Iowa, the son of Leonard and Verena (Zettler) Dittman. He attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Sheldon High School in 1947. Following school he farmed with his parents. On May 9, 1954, he married Josephine "Jo" Klein in South Sioux City, Neb. Delbert and Jo continued to farm with his parents before moving to the town of Sheldon, where he worked a variety of jobs and served in the National Guard. In 1968 they moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa, where he started police work after attending the Police Academy in Des Moines. They moved to Waukon in 1976 where Delbert served first as an officer and then for many years as assistant chief with the Waukon Police Department. He also worked in maintenance at the Waukon Post Office. Delbert was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon. He loved to spend time with his family and grandchildren. He was an avid gardener, raised flowers, and liked caring for the lawn. He enjoyed traveling, especially to the north and western US, as well as trips to Georgia and Maryland to visit family. Delbert also enjoyed collecting fishing tackle, camping, and watching rodeos. Survivors include his wife, Jo of Waukon; 11 children, Martha (Tim) Cooper of Soldatna, Alaska, Mike of Waukon, Steve (Gaye), David (Barb), and Lyle, all of LaGrange, Ga., Julie Dittman of Crofton, Md., Dan of Orlando, Fla., Greg of Woodstock, Ga., Lisa (Tom) Ewing of Charles City, Iowa, Laura (Jeremy) Daniel of Panora, Iowa, and Dominic of Des Moines, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; and a sister, Uarda Dittman of Bowie, Md. He is preceded in death by his parents; two children, Christina and Patrick; a brother, Leonard Dittman Jr.; and a sister, Mary Jane Bryant. Casketbearers were Clarence Henry, Rodney Fink, Russell O'Connell, Wayne Verthein, Russell Roth, and Greg Rosendahl. Memorials may be made in Delbert's name to the American Cancer Society.

~Waukon Standard, 7/28/2004