Gerald "Gerd" Dittmer

Gerald "Gerd" Andrew Dittmer, 81, of Milo, passed away at 8:32 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, at Mercy Hospice after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. Gerald, a life-long farmer, was passionate about his occupation and prided himself on the appearance of his equipment, farmland, crops and homestead. Farming was his livelihood. As a young boy he learned the trade from his father on the family farm. Every task, no matter how large or how small, was done to perfection. His family knows very well the phrase Gerald often used, "If you want it done right, you do it yourself." Together with his surviving wife, Wilma Ann (Konrad) Dittmer, they farmed nearly 1,000 acres south of Milo. The couple were married on October 19, 1957 and raised five children who also survive: Randy (Carol) Dittmer, Liberty, MO, and their sons, Ryne and Carter; Rhonda Johnson, Overland Park, KS, and her son, Nick; Raylene (David) Wetzel, Kansas City, MO, and their son, Tanner, and daughter, Taylor; Ruby (Chris) Geinosky, Kansas City, MO, and their daughter, Teegan; and Robby Dittmer, Indianola. Also surviving are siblings: Jerome (Rosanna) Dittmer, Alban (Florence) Dittmer, Bernard Dittmer, Berniece Dittmer, and Sylvester (Betty) Dittmer; sister-in-law, Marlowe Remley; and many relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents: Henry and Rosa Dittmer; siblings: James Dittmer, Paul Dittmer and Marie Shares. Gerald loved his country and proudly served in the Korean conflict in 1954, spending 22 months in Japan. He shared his pride in his country on the farm by flying an American flag and restoring a Spirit of ‘76 tractor. In addition to farming, Gerald also pursued many hobbies and always enjoyed a challenge. He loved antique tractors and restored more than 60 of them. He loved all kinds and treasured finding rare and unique models. He wanted to restore those that no one else had, and some of his most rare finds were three German Porsche tractors. He was known in the area for his workmanship and won several trophies and awards from local tractor shows and parades. Gerald also loved gardening. He and Wilma received great satisfaction supplying family and friends with the fruit of their labor. Later in life he took great joy in watching his son, Robby, compete in truck pulling and dirt track racing. He would help on the vehicles and couldn't wait for race day, often asking, "Do you have those cars ready?" Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Milo. Family received friends at the church on Monday from 5 - 7 p.m. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Interment was at the Rosemount Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Augustine Catholic Church or to Mercy Hospice. Visitation

APR 6. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

St. Augustine Catholic Church

111 E. Belmont Street

Milo, IA 50166

Service

APR 7. 10:30 AM (CDT)

St. Augustine Catholic Church

111 E. Belmont Street

Milo, IA 50166