Lester L. "Lee" Dittmer

Lester LeAllen “Lee” Dittmer, 90, of Clarks, died on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Nebraska Veteran’s Medical Center in Grand Island. Funeral services are will be on Wednesday, October 19th at 1:00 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City with Pastor Courtney Erzkus officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 18th from 5-7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Clarks Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Lester was born on January 5, 1926 to Herman and Ruth (Brown) Dittmer in Clarks, Nebraska. He grew up in Clarks and Hamilton County, graduating from Clarks High School in 1944. After graduation, Lester joined the United States Army serving in the Korean Conflict from 1950-1952. During his service time, he was a frontline machine gunner, and was awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts in saving several of his comrades during the conflict. Shortly after returning home, he married Peggy L. Lane on April 14, 1952 at the Episcopal Church in Columbus. Lester and Peggy lived in Kansas and Colorado while he finished his service to our country. Clarks was always home to him, so in 1953 they returned to Clarks where he began farming south of town. That is where they would remain until 2009 when they moved to Aurora. Again, Clarks was always home to Lester and in July of 2016 he returned to Clarks and lived in the Villa across from the pool. Lester was an avid sports fan, including the local youth sports, and loved to follow the University of Nebraska football and volleyball teams. His love of sports, and youth led him to starting several youth sports programs, including the ASA women’s fastpitch team in Clarks, where he coached and sponsored the team for over 35 years. He was also the announcer for the Clarks home football games for many years. He was handpicked by Bill Smith to coach the Nebraska All-Star softball team in a game versus the Zimbabwe National team. Even with all of his great accomplishments, he got his greatest joy out of following his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic events throughout their lives. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes in his free time. Lester was a member of the Clarks VFW and Clarks School Board. Those left to cherish his memory are his children; Lee and Jolene Dittmer of Clarks, Doe Dee Dittmer of Aurora, and Tad and Roxanne Dittmer of Clarks; his cousin whom he always considered his brother; Rex Brown of Fairmont; 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by; his parents; and his wife, Peggy in 2012.

Lester L. "Lee" Dittmer

January 5, 1926 - October 14, 2016