Howard H. Dittmer

Obituary

Howard Henry Dittmer was born on April 23, 1928, in Green Isle, Minnesota. He was the son of Allie and Ella (Mackenthun) Dittmer. Howard was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth both at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Helen Township. Howard received his education at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Parochial School and was a graduate of the Glencoe High School class of 1947. The class of 1947’s football team was undefeated that year…as Howard liked to mention every so often.   

Howard was united in marriage to Diane Ortloff on October 30, 1955, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Helen Township. They made their home on the Dittmer family farm in Sibley County. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Elynn and Jodi. Howard and Diane shared 66 years of marriage.

Howard served his country with the United States Army during the Korean War as a heavy artillery repairman. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He returned home from active duty and was transferred to the Army Reserve completing 8 years.

Howard cherished farming the Dittmer family farm and he did so as a crop and dairy farmer. He was a caretaker, loving his family and his animals, something he passed on to his children/grandchildren. Howard was surrounded by girls; the PERFECT “girl dad” and “girl grandpa.” He forever and always had his girls back, made sure they knew they were loved and protected. Howard relished in the time he spent with his family and spoiling the beloved family pets; Oscar, Kenzie, and Petey. Howard loved adventure, which he found in flying airplanes and traveling.  

Howard was an avid outdoorsman; he found so much joy in hunting deer, wild turkey, pheasant, and moose! He loved spending as much time as he could with his family at the cabin; fishing, jet-skiing, boat trips down to the dam, and being a cheerleader for his granddaughters as they each learned to waterski. In the wintertime, it was snowmobiling, ice fishing, and bonfires. He loved to fish, the smile on his face said it all when there was a sunfish tugging at the end of the cane pole. Many wonderful memories were made with friends on the hunting and fishing trips up north. Howard loved shooting trap at Shady Lane and butchering and making summer sausage with family at his home. Howard was always looking to have a good time, and was always on the go…the mischievous smirk on his face said it all.                                                                            

Howard passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at Glencoe Regional Health Services in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 93 years. Blessed be his memory.

Howard is survived by his:
Wife, Diane Dittmer, of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Elynn Lepel and her husband, Joel, of Plato, MN,
                 Jodi Bandemer and her husband, Kevin, of Plato, MN;
Granddaughters, Shaina Bandemer (Chad Hoese), Morgan Bandemer;
Sister, Dorothy Ann Schwarzrock of Glencoe, MN;
Sister-in-law, Eunice Rucks of Norwood Young America, MN;
Nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.

Howard is preceded in death by his Parents, Allie and Ella Dittmer; Father and Mother-in-law, Carl and Mabel Ortloff, Granddaughter, Taylor Lepel; Brothers-in-law, Roland Schwarzrock, Maynard Rucks; Niece, Beverly Maddox; Nephews, Paul Beneke, Mark Schwarzrock.