Obituary of Mary K. Dittman
Mary McQuade Dittman, 92, of St. Maries, Idaho, passed away at her home surrounded by family on August 10, 2024.
She was born on March 8, 1932, to Terrence and Genevieve (Anderwald) McQuade of Marble Creek, Idaho. Mary grew up in the Marble Creek Store with her family. Her mother ran the store, and her dad supplied the logging camps with his pack string.
Her childhood was full of unique moments that shaped the St. Joe area. There was a CCC camp to the East and a train depot to the North. Mary was able to watch the unloading of one of the first herds of elk introduced into the St. Joe drainage as they came off the train cars at the Marble Creek Station. Mary loved riding horses and was occasionally allowed to go with her father on his packing trips.
Mary boarded at St. Mary’s Academy in St. Maries from 3rd Grade through 8th Grade. In her high school years, she boarded with the Lloyd and Marie Anderson Family. She would ride the train up and down the St. Joe River to go home for holidays and summer breaks.
She married Robert (Bob) Dittman on May 20, 1950. They built their log home in the Butler Bay area overlooking the St. Joe Valley. Together, they created an incredible legacy during their 51 years of marriage. Mary and Bob enjoyed spending time up the St. Joe River and instilled that love in all fourteen of their children. Her life was deeply enriched by building traditions with her family, such as huckleberry picking, large family dinners, saying the Rosary together each night, and apple cider pressing.
Her home was full of warmth and the laughter of all the neighborhood children. Mary was extremely talented at cooking, gardening, sewing, canning, and making do with what she had. She was active in the St. Maries Community, leading Bluebird and Campfire Girls. She was also involved in St. Mary’s Catholic Ladies, the Grange, and volunteered at the St. Maries Senior Center and the Benewah County Fair. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Post Falls and St. Joseph’s Mission in St. Maries.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Karen McQuade, her children: Steve (Dot) Dittman, Stan Dittman, Scott (Jean) Dittman, Shawn (Swany) Dittman, Sam (Susan) Dittman, Serena (Bryan) Reid, Sally (Andy) Porter, Sharlyn (Joe) Johnston, Sonda (Kevin) McHail, Sidnee Dittman, Shannan (Mike) Mueller, Peter (Lori) Dittman, and Paul (Cindy) Dittman, 80 grandchildren, 163 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous godchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Dittman, sister Agnes Sibert, brother Tom McQuade, daughter Shirley McGovern, grandsons Joseph Johnston Jr. and Carl Reid, and great-grandchildren Gabriel Suchoski, Magdalen Suchoski, Anthony Dittman, and Jude Keogh.
A viewing will take place on Thursday, August 15, 2024, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. Rosary will be recited that evening at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph Mission - 81525 Hwy 3 S., St. Maries, ID 83861. A Requiem High Mass will take place on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Mission, with graveside services following at Woodlawn Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow all services at St. Joseph Mission.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Mission, P.O. Box 534, St. Maries, Idaho 83861
