Mary Louise Dittmar

1929 - 2025

Mary Louise Amelia Kordzik was born in Fredericksburg, on January 29, 1929, to Walter and Edna (Henke) Kordzik, growing up as an only child, on the family farm and ranch northeast of Stonewall. She attended Nebgen School and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1946. After graduation, she attended the Durham School of Business in Austin, Texas. After business school, she worked at the Fredericksburg Clinic until she married.

Mary Louise married her love, ranch and dancing partner, John A. Dittmar, on February 14, 1949. They raised three children on the ranch which they purchased just north of her childhood home. They often recounted stories of working hard to make land payments with their egg and cream sales. Johnny and Mary Louise raised sheep, goats and a few head of cattle. It was not long after their marriage, they acquired Registered Angora Goats. They soon built a reputation for highly sought after Angoras, winning many honors in the Angora business and selling top dollar billies.

Mary Louise was an active Stonewall 4-H adult leader. She not only taught her own daughters but other girls how to sew and cook, resulting in their successful competitions in 4-H shows but also the Make It With Wool competition. After the daughters left for college, Mary Louise found a dream job working at Knopp & Metzger's fabric department, allowing her to share her love of sewing for 15 years. After retiring, Mary Louise continued her love of sewing by joining the ladies of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran church for 73 years.

Mary Louise enjoyed gardening and believed in growing and preserving all that was needed to survive to the next growing season. She and Johnny, along with her parents, would annually harvest deer and make a variety of sausage, lard, soap. They guided their children and then her grandchildren through the process that still continues today. Mary Louise raised chickens and sold eggs. At one point, she was getting 8-10 dozen eggs a day. In early life, she had two milk cows and sold cream to a local creamery. She continued to milk a cow until she was in her 80s.

Mary Louise was a member of the Home Demonstration Club, later know as the Texas Extension Education Association, from 1955 to the present, with the exception of the 15 years she was working. In 2016, she was recognized at the State Convention as a "Texas Treasure" for dedicated service to the organization.

Mary Louise is preceded in death by husband, John A. Dittmar; her parents and 23 brothers and sisters-in-laws.

Mary Louise is survived by her children, Connie Dittmar of Kerrville, Delores (Dr. Sam) Castleberry and John H. and Debra Dittmar of Stonewall. Also, her grandchildren, Dr. Chesney Castleberry and husband Craig Stevens of Austin, Cayla (Eric) Grossman of Ft. Worth, Katy Castleberry and husband Steven Garrett of Austin, John Evan and Holly Dittmar of Houston, Kirstin and Hunter Feril of New Braunfels, Jacob and Taylor Dittmar of Victoria, as well as 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. in the chapel of Fredericksburg Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonewall with interment to follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Gillespie County Extension Education Scholarship Fund, Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department or charity of choice.

Services under the direction of Fredericksburg Funeral Home.