Lona Dittmar

Lona A. Dittmar, age 75, of Marysville, Kansas, passed away on May 25, 2025, at Cambridge Place in Marysville.

A Celebration of Life was held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, May 29, at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Marysville.  Pastor Shannon Borgman and Alice King officiated.  The organist was Greg Marples and hymns included "Amazing Grace", and "Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire."

Burial at a later date will take place at Schapville Presbyterian Cemetery in Scales Mound, Illinois.

Lona was born on September 26, 1949, in Harrison, Arkansas, the daughter of George W. and Betty J. (Robbins) Davis. She graduated from Minneapolis High School in Minneapolis, Kansas, in 1967. Lona continued her education at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, and later attended the University of Kansas, where she studied Deaf Education. She began her teaching career at Children’s Mercy Deaf Preschool in Kansas City.

While in Kansas City, Lona met Russell Dittmar. They were married on April 28, 1973, at the United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, Kansas. Together they lived in Gridley and Moran, Kansas, where Russell served as pastor. In 1977, they moved to Hanover, Kansas, where Lona began teaching at Hanover High School. She taught English and Speech there until 1991, when the family moved to Marysville.

Lona continued her teaching career at Marysville High School, where she taught English, Speech, Debate, and Forensics until her retirement in 2014. She was passionate about education and enjoyed encouraging her students to explore new experiences, especially in theatre and performance.

In retirement, Lona and Russ spent much of their time at the family farm in Elizabeth, Illinois. They were active members of the Schapville Presbyterian Church and enjoyed time traveling, visiting family and working with Illinois family at Dittmar Farms and Orchard.

Lona was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Russell; two children, Michal Kate Dittmar Franko, Marysville, and Weylin (Kristin) Dittmar, Olathe, Kansas; four grandchildren, Molly, Macey, and Mackenzie Franko, and Anna Dittmar; her sister, Pam (Don) Lake of Arizona; her brother, Bud (Terry) Davis of Salina, Kansas; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends she considered family.

A memorial fund has been established in Lona’s name for the Marysville Area Community Theatre (M-ACT). Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.