Michael Dittmer

Michael Jon Dittmer, 69, of Fort Dodge passed away on Sunday June 14th at the Marian Home following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20th at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Military Rites will follow the Mass by the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard at the church. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 9:45 AM on Saturday at the church. www.laufersweilerfuneralhome.com

Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family.

Survivors include his nieces Becky J. Mack and Bobbie J. (Rafael III) Arreola. Great nieces and nephew Ashley Eddington, Bethany Eddington, Emma Arreola, and Rafael IV Arreola, and great great niece Aurora Eddington. His brother-in-law Myron Mack.

He was preceded in death by his mother Sherry M. Dittmer in January of 2011, father Bernard J. Dittmer in March of 2025, and his sister Linda L. Mack in June 2023.

Michael was born at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at 11:17pm on April 5, 1957 to his proud parents: Bernard J. and Sherry M. Dittmer of rural Milo, Iowa in Warren County. He was raised on their 160-acre Farm along with his little sister (Linda F. Dittmer/Mack). He attended and graduated from S.E. Warren Community School in May 1975.

After graduation he found employment at Great Plains Bag in Des Moines where he stayed until July of 1979, when he joined the U.S. Air Force. He lived in an apartment in Indianola, Iowa from 1976 to 1979.

Michael was in the U.S. Air Force from July 1979 to April of 1987. Basic training was at Lackland A.F.B. in San Antonio, Texas. Tech school was at Sheppard A.F.B. in Wichita Falls, Texas and Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. His first duty station from 1980 to 1982 was at Little Rock A.F.B. in Jacksonville, Arkansas. His second assignment from 1983 to 1984 was overseas at Camp Darby, Italy (about 6 miles from the Leaning Tower of Pisa). After Italy came 5 months of cross training at Chanute A.F.B. in Rantoul, Illinois. His final duty station from 1985 to 1987 was at Keesler A.F.B. in Biloxi, Mississippi. His first 5 years were spent as a Package Specialist; and his last 3 years as Acft. Mechanic for C-130's. He was honorably discharged an E-5 (Staff Sgt.) in April of 1987.

After the U.S. Air Force, Michael returned home to Iowa and worked another 13 years at Smurfit Stone Container Corp (the bag factory) as a sewing mechanic until the factory closed in August of 2000. Michael then went to work at Iowa Paint Mfg. in Des Moines from 2001 to 2002. He then did security work at Des Moines International Airport in the cargo terminal gate and the downtown skywalk system, and American Republic Insurance Company from 2003 to 2007.

In 2007, Michael relocated to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he found employment at Van Diest Supply from September 2007 until his retirement as production worker.

Michael had always been active member of his local church, parish and the surrounding community from an early age. In grade school he served as an Acolyte (Alter Server). In Junior High School he began to lector from the pulpit. Since then, he has served as a lay Eucharistic Minister and lector, sang in both traditional and folk choirs, and taught C.C.D. , P.R.E., V.B.S. and Acolyte training. He has done much volunteer work in the church and community as well. Driving as a substitute bus driver, acting as a reading partner, spelling and math tutor, and running office copy machines for school newspapers. Planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting garden vegetables for the Garden of Eden Project. Michael also assisted in the Power of Prayer, (Statue of Mary) (Our Lady of Fatima), home visits, and many other activities.

Michael joined the Knights of Columbus in 2002, and was knighted as a 4th degree member in 2004. He served the local parish and community, assisting in various charity and fund-raising activities. Michael was member of the American Legion. His favorite pastimes include spending quality time with family and friends, watching good movies, or just saying a quiet Rosary while he was alone.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.