Rosella Dittes

Rosella Dittes, age 87, of Ortonville, Minnesota died Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at St. Williams Nursing Home in Milbank, South Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 21, at 2 p.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Ortonville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Father Zachary Peterson will officiate and burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery in Big Stone City, SD.

LeRosella Mildred Dittes was born to John and Frances (Pepka) Van Erem on her family's farm in Grant County, South Dakota on June 19, 1926. Rosella attended country school through the eighth grade, then attended and graduated from Big Stone City High School. She received additional education at the Watertown Beauty Academy in Watertown, South Dakota.

On September 28, 1948, Rosella was united in marriage with Harold Dittes at St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City, South Dakota. To this union one daughter was born. After living in several other communities, the family returned to make their home in Ortonville in 1956.

Rosella was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church in Ortonville and an Oblate at Blue Cloud Abbey. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, gardening and entertaining. She also delivered Meals on Wheels. Rosella and Harold travelled to Italy, the Holy Land, and Medjugorje in western Bosnia. Harold died on March 22, 2014.

Rosella died on April 15, 2014, at St. William's Care Center in Milbank, South Dakota, having reached the age of 87 years.

Left with her memory is her daughter Brenda Novak of Papillion, NE; granddaughter Kristin (Ken) Bylsma of Lombard, IL; great-granddaughter Kaitlyn; brother Emil Van Erem of Milbank, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; sister Agnes Fine; and brothers Bernard Van Erem and Vincent Van Erem.