Adele K. Dittmer, 83, of rural Columbia City, died at 12:08 a.m. Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.

She was born August 22, 1937, in St. Joseph, Michigan, a daughter of the late Edward and Florence (Ladwig) Dase. Growing up in St Joseph, she graduated from St Joseph High School in 1955. Continuing her education, she completed Concordia Teachers College in Chicago, receiving a bachelor's degree.

She began her teaching career at a Lutheran School in Long Island, NY. She relished her time in New York, experiencing the many things to see and do.

On July 17, 1966, she married Kenneth R. Dittmer, making their home in Whitley County. Kenneth died on March 31, 2000.

A career-long teacher, she taught at Bethlehem Lutheran School, Fort Wayne, then in 1976 transferred to Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran School until her retirement in 2000. Passionate about teaching and helping to shape young minds, she continued to assist at the school until 2020.

Always looking to broaden her knowledge and experiences, she enjoyed traveling. Among the many places, she visited were Italy and Hawaii. However, she always found solace in returning to her hometown of St. Joseph to walk the beaches and visit the lighthouses on the shore of Lake Michigan. When her grandchildren came along, she cherished her time with them attending their various school activities and events.

Surviving are her children, Ellen K. (Daniel) Gottschalk of Fort Wayne, Doug Dittmer of Columbia City, and Joy K. (Jason) Plassard of West Lafayette; grandchildren, Heidi (Isaiah) Felton, Rachel Gottschalk, Adam Gottschalk, Bethany Gottschalk, Elizabeth Plassard, Hope Plassard, and Andrew Plassard; and two brothers, Jim (Charlotte) Dase of Suffolk, VA, and Dave (Pam) Dase of Arizona.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Dase.

The funeral is 3:00 p.m. Friday at Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 6318 W California Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46818. Burial is at the Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the church and 1 hour before the service on Friday. Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Preferred memorials are to Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran School.

This service will be live-streamed on our Facebook page.