Mary M. Dittmar

MENOMONEE FALLS - 87 Mary (Mohrhusen) Dittmar was born on January 29, 1936 to Clarence and Theresa (Meunier) Mohrhusen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence A. and Theresa C. Mohrhusen, sister, Jean (Lloyd) Roesler, niece Catherine Roesler, and a succession of three much loved Harlequin Great Danes ~ Mazie, Hugo, and Riley. She was frequently seen in all seasons walking one of those giant black and white dogs along the Village streets. Some in the Village Hall who noticed her regular appearances along the river referred to her as “the dog lady.” She grew up on the family farm in Colgate, WI. On her very first ride home, the car became stuck in heavy snow drifts. But word was sent and soon a sled, pulled by the farm’s team of horses cut through the fields, picked up her snow bound family, and carried them safely home. It was the first of her many travel adventures. She lived most of her life in Menomonee Falls. She finished grade school at Saint Mary’s in 1950 and was graduated in 1954 from Menomonee Falls High School. (Go Indians!). In 1967 she moved into her longtime home near the Menomonee River Parkway. She died there as she wished on August 15, 2023 with family present. She is survived by her son Kevin S. Dittmar, granddaughter Lauren Isabelle Hazlett, daughter Jane M. Dittmar, son-in law LTC Joseph S. Stanjones, III, U. S. Army Ret., step-granddaughter Alexandria R. Stanjones, sister Bonita L. Mohrhusen, niece Carrie Ramos, and other friends and relatives. In 1958 she was graduated from Mount Mary College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She taught briefly at Germantown High school. For many years she was an active force at Dittmar Realty, Inc., where her duties included staging model homes, selecting the materials and colors for inventory homes, and serving as a member of the Architectural Control Committee. In 1986, she began twenty-five years as a volunteer with the Milwaukee Public Museum: first as an active member of Archaeological Rescue, Inc. and then as a trained docent leading tours in the Africa Exhibit. Her lifelong fascination with the evolution of man fueled her love of travel, especially in Africa. Adventures there included riding a camel in the Sahara, exploring in the Olduvai Gorge, climbing the Bandiagara escarpment, walking the streets of Timbuktu, and having a beer at the Bitter End in Djibouti. She shared her knowledge with subtle wisdom and dry wit, and continued to correct the English of her children and others from whom she received permission in advance. She believed strongly in circling the wagons to protect family. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a short graveside service at Resurrection Cemetery, 9400 W Donges Bay Rd Mequon, WI on Saturday September 9 at 1:00 pm; if it is raining, you may wish to bring an umbrella. Memorials sent in her name to the Milwaukee Public Museum or to the Washington County Humane Society, Slinger WI will be appreciated. Mary’s family would like to thank the many treasured caregivers, watchful neighbors, and countless others who helped Mary remain in her home until the end.