Janet C. Dittmar

Janet C. Dittmar breathed her last on February 17, 2022 at age 73 in St Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO after a brief struggle with cancer. Janet was born in Jackson, Michigan, the fourth of five children of Bernard Francis Crites and Frances Rita Crites (nee Finnegan). She grew up in Albion, Michigan, was raised in the Catholic tradition, was initially schooled in a one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Albion High School. When she was about 12 years old, her parents were divorced at a time when significant stigma was attached to such.
In her early twenties, she left Albion for Chicago, where she worked as a secretary. As a young adult, she suffered a troubled marriage, which ended in divorce. Janet persevered and weathered these difficult circumstances that shaped her early life. She became a “city girl” and loved Chicago.

Throughout, Janet remained a person of faith. Eventually, she met the one who became her beloved husband Paul in Chicago. After a year of courtship, they were married at Calgary United Protestant Church (PCUSA) in Park Forest, IL on August 10, 1985. They honeymooned in Paris, France. In marriage, Janet gave her unconditional love to Paul, and after working a while longer in Chicago, she devoted her life to homemaking. She loved quilting by hand, was a wonderful cook, and was meticulous and industrious in household management. Janet also enjoyed yardwork and travel with Paul, including a trip to China. Janet supported Paul faithfully throughout his work life and in all his endeavors. She was generous with time and resources in supporting family members, and she was their inspiration in times of trouble. Her shared faith with Paul was of utmost importance in her life.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Rita, and her siblings David Crites, Judith Anderson, and Susan Rosenberger. She is survived by her husband Paul and by her younger sister Jeanine Hurley, along with Jeanine’s husband Larry, son Cody (all in Tucson, AZ), and daughter Paris (Philadelphia, PA). Paul’s family also mourn Janet’s passing.

Janet’s cremains will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan, KS on March 5, 2022.

All are welcome to attend the Funeral service at First Presbyterian Church (801 Leavenworth) at 10 a.m. that morning, followed by a reception with light refreshments.

Memorial gifts may be made to St Luke’s Hospice House of Kansas City, MO or to First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, both in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.