JoAnn Dittert

JoAnn Dittert, 85, Jefferson, passed away Jan. 14 in Jefferson.

JoAnn Eason Dittert was born May 20, 1929 to Claude L. Eason and Nancy Sayre Eason, at her parents farm home northwest of Scranton. She grew to womanhood in the Scranton area and graduated from Country School 8th grade, Kendrick No. 9 in Kendrick Township. She also graduated from Scranton Consolidated School in May of 1946. During her high school years and a couple years after graduation, she worked at the Security Savings Bank in Scranton. After the death of her mother in 1948, JoAnn and her sister, Lois, moved to Jefferson and opened the Ready to Wear Store, known as Lois & JoAnn’s. After moving to Jefferson, JoAnn met Bernard Dittert and they were married December 2, 1950 at the Catholic Rectory in Jefferson. They made their home on the Dittert Family farm northeast of Jefferson and were blessed with two daughters, Nancy and Margaret. She worked part time at Lois & JoAnn’s after she was married, kept things going on the farm and cared for her family. She was a great homemaker and loved cooking and baking for her family, friends and her brother-in-law, Fred Dittert. After Bernard passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2002, JoAnn continued living on the family farm.

JoAnn is survived by daughters: Nancy of Grand Junction and Margaret of Brea, California; five grandchildren: Bruce Timmons (Stacie), James Timmons (Nicole), Ann Mino (Joshua), T. J Otto (Amy), and Abbey Thomas (John); nine great-grandchildren: Dalton and Devon Timmons, Bryce, Aubrey and Mallory Timmons, Elliot and Rowan Otto, Greyson Mino and Wayde Thomas who is arriving April 30, 2014; sister-in-law, Jessie Buchmann, nieces, nephews and many friends.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, brothers Bud and Donald Eason, sisters Lois and Mary Ferne and son-in-law Mike Timmons.

Mass of Christian Burial services for JoAnn Eason Dittert were held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 14 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson. Visitation with family present was Jan. 13 from 5-7 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson with a Vigil Service at 6:30 p.m. officiated by Father Jeff Schleisman. Officiating the Mass was Father Schleisman and Eucharistic Ministers were Mary Jane Fields and Sue Wind.

Honorary bearers were her Great-Grand Children, Mignon Rasmussen, Keith Rasmussen, Carla and Steve Haupert and Jill and Kevin Rasmussen. Casket bearers were Bruce, Nicole and James Timmons and T. J. Otto, Ann Mino and Abbey Thomas. Gift Bearers were Nancy Timmons and Margaret Otto. Acolyte was Mary Jane Fields and Ushers were Jerry Fields and Tom Feldmann. The Lector was Sue Wind. Musicians were Monica McGregor and Sheilah Pound. Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery in Jefferson.

Memorials may be sent in the family’s name to Hastings Funeral Home, PO Box 253, Jefferson, IA 50129; 515-386-8181,
www.hastings.funeralplan2.com