Louella Lee Dittmer

Louella Lee Dittmer, age 94, Smithton, died Friday morning, February 6, 2009, at the Golden Age Living Center in Stover.
She was born June 8, 1914, in Florence, a daughter of Walter Robert and Myrtle Mae Wear Kruse.
On March 18, 1933, in Florence, Louella married Amos Glenn Mertgen, who preceded her in death December 28, 1963. On August 7, 1965, she married Lester Norman Dittmer, who preceded her in death July 13, 2008.
Louella was a homemaker. She later worked for 13 years at Smithson, Inc., in Stover.
She was baptized in 1924, in the Boonville Baptist Church. Since 1933, she was a faithful and active member of the St. John United Church of Christ in Florence, serving as a Sunday school teacher, on the church board and in various other offices within the Lay Fellowship. Louella was Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. She helped organize the first 4-H club in Florence and was a leader for seven years. She was a member and past director of the Missouri Cowbells organization. Louella was also active in the Florence community and its organizations including KOLA club, Senior Citizens and the Quilting Grannies.
Louella enjoyed her garden, canning, sewing word puzzles and scrap booking. She had a green thumb and was known for her ability to raise beautiful flowers. Her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family.
Survivors include one daughter, Barbara Tieman of Syracuse; one granddaughter, Vida Lou Phillips and husband Bob of Florence; four great grandchildren, Preston Robert Phillips, Bobbi Jo Hagerman and husband Cory, Quenton Wayne Phillips and fiancé Krista Homan and Trenton Glenn Phillips, three great-great grandchildren, Grace Maree Phillips and Madalyn Jo and Hunter Michael Hagerman, one sister, Ada Waites and husband Charles of Harwood, two sisters-in-law, Marguerite Kruse of Edwards and Betty Golden of Mt. Home, Arkansas; four special nephews, Dale and Phillip Monsees and David and Richard Dittmer, also several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Dennis and Lewis Kruse and Leo Golden.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 9, at the St. John United Church of Christ in Florence with Rev. Mike Miller officiating. Interment will be in the St. John UCC Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 P.M. Sunday, February 8, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the St. John United Church of Christ.