Dittmer, Mary or Marie (Mrs. Louis), 1893-1920

DITTMER, RENKEN, RANKIN, HUISMAN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Hawarden Independent, February 19, 1920

Sad Death of Young Mother

Mrs. Louis Dittmer died Saturday afternoon at her home near Maurice, after a brief illness from a complication of influenza and pneumonia. Funeral services were held at St. John’s Lutheran church at one o’clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. C. D. Nuoffer preaching the funeral sermon. Interment was made in the Ireton cemetery.

Mrs. Dittmer was a daughter of John Rankin, a well-known resident of Ireton. She was born Nov. 28, 1891, on the old home farm south of town, and has always made her home in this community. She was united in marriage Feb. 15, 1914, to Louis Dittmer. Two children were born to this union, a son, aged 4, and a daughter, aged 2. She was a kind and indulgent wife and mother and was held in high regard by all who knew her. The sympathy of the community is extended to the sorrowing husband and children in their sad hour.

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The Sioux County marriage register for 1913/1914 has groom Louis Dittmer, age 24, resident of Sioux County, farmer, born in Sioux County, parents Fred Dittmer and Anna Merhoff; bride Marie Renken, age 21, resident of Ireton, born in Sioux County, parents John Renken and Lena Huismann; married in Ireton February 15, 1914. [Note: all others with her mother's surname in the Sioux County Cemetery Index are spelled Huisman.]

The 1920 U.S. census for Reading Township, Sioux County has Lewis H. Dittmer, age 28, a farmer, wife Mary, age 27, children LeRoy (4-8/12) and Corine (2-9/12).

The 1900 census has Robert J. Renken (37), a farmer, wife Lena (41), and children Herman (9), T. Mary (6, born Nov. 1893), Maggie A. (3), and Anna S. (1). (also 4 Husman [Huisman?] step-children)

There is a FindaGrave page for Mary Dittmer, born 28 Nov 1893, died 14 Feb 1920 (aged 26), buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Ireton, with a photo of her headstone. No husband is included. One child is listed, Corinne V. Dittmer Bolluyt (1918-2010). (Her son LeRoy died in 1931; see his obituary, posted separately)