Janet Dittmar

Janet Pearl Dittmar, 83, stepped through the veil on August 21, 2023, at Kennybrook Village in Grimes, Iowa.

Janet was born in Des Moines Iowa on August 27, 1939, the only child of Frances E. and R. Keith Morain. Throughout her life, she hated being an only child. However, she fiercely loved her tight knit extended family and felt blessed to live within walking distance of many family members. She was especially close to her cousin, Jim Hoch and her Nana, Pearl Sneddon.

Jan graduated class of ’58 from North High School. In 1959, she married Dennis Grill. Two children were born to this union, Jim and Lora. She worked for Northwestern Bell early in her marriage. However, when she became pregnant with her first child, Jim, she had to quit 5 months into her pregnancy. She later returned to the phone company in the late 70’s and retired in 1998.

Jan was very involved in her children’s’ lives. She was both a Cub Scout Den leader and a Campfire Girl Leader. She supported all of her children’s activities attending numerous basketball and baseball games, choir concerts and plays. Jan was a generous friend and neighbor. She spent many hours caring for her Nana in later years and helping her parents. She knew the value of hard work and instilled this value in her children. In her early years, in her free time, she loved antiquing, boating and fishing. She learned to play and loved golf. In later years, she spent many hours creating cards and remembrance books.

Having been divorced, in 1990, she married Larry D. Anderson and was devastated by his early death in 1994. Before his death, she and Larry began taking the discussions with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jan was baptized on August 27, 1990. She found great comfort in understanding the Plan of Salvation.

In 1996, she married John Dittmar. Together they served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, IL. That experience was a highlight of her later life and resulted in many new friends and experiences. Jan overcame many challenges in life such as beating cancer and enduring Parkinson’s disease. In all of this affliction, she never failed in her love for her family and friends and greatly appreciated their loving support.

She is survived by her son, Jim Grill (Nelda Davis), and daughter Lora Sanderson (Mark); stepchildren, Evan Dittmar (Lisa), Delese Oens (Richard), JeNae Hill (Brandon); grandchildren, AJ Grill, Tanner Grill, Drew Grill, Brad Sanderson (Maddi), Scott Sanderson, Samantha Sanderson, Trenton Dittmar, Ashton Dittmar, Chloe Dittmar, Regan Coffey, Jaemon Hill and Cohen Hill.

She was preceded in death by her second husband, Larry D. Anderson, third husband, John F. Dittmar, daughter-in-law, Ann Grill, and grandson, Kyle Welch.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the Walnut Hills Chapel, 400 Pleasant View Dr. Waukee IA, 50263.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Animal Rescue League of Iowa and online condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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