Ward B. Dittmar

Ward B. Dittmar, of German Valley, IL, passed away Thursday, December 8, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth, IL. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport or to the First United Methodist Church in Elizabeth.

Ward was born July 26, 1950, son of Ward and Araminta (Reed) Dittmar. He grew up in Elizabeth and attended Elizabeth High School graduating with the class of 1968. Ward married the love of his life, Sue Kottke, on July 15, 1978. The couple was initially set up on a blind date of cocktails and dancing. They instantly hit it off, and by the end of the night Sue knew Ward was the man she was going to marry. Together Ward and Sue raised one son and celebrated 44 years of marriage.

After marriage, Ward and Sue lived in Freeport for a short time before settling in German Valley. Ward worked for Rockford Bolt & Steel as an Industrial Engineer for 15 years. Ward then moved on to working for the Illinois Department of Transportation before working at Sauer Danfoss for the next 10 years.

The Dittmar household had two yearly traditions. Every year the family would travel to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture. Ward always had an interest in aviation, and was a member of the EAA. The second was the yearly trip to Watersmeet, MI, where they would stay at Crooked Lake Resort, to fish and relax. It's up at Crooked Lake where Ward’s family has some of their most treasured memories. The stories of blue gill and rock bass, the 33 and 3/4 in. northern, or winning the custom fishing rod, will be remembered and shared with friends and family often.

Ward was an avid fisherman and shared that interest with his family. He took fishing to the next level and made his own fishing flies, jigs, and quick strike rigs. Ward was very proud that his jigs caught many, many fish. Ward also enjoyed hunting deer with his son, Ben. He was very artistic and crafty and enjoyed playing several stringed instruments. He also spent many hours woodcarving and whittling. If you ever find yourself across the Atlantic, you may even find one of Ward’s hand carved chairs in a museum.

Ward will be dearly missed by his wife, Sue Dittmar of German Valley; his son, Ben (Krysta) Dittmar of Normal, IL; two granddaughters, Paige and Khloe; and cousins, Greg and Jeneile Hass of Elizabeth. Ward is preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Gary and Beverly.