Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 16, 2009 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Pastor David Peterson officiating. Burial followed in the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2009 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore.
Mary was born to Friedrich and Augusta (Kempf) Dittman in their home in Bramhall Township, Hyde County, South Dakota on April 20, 1927. She was the twelfth of thirteen children. Mary lived her entire life in Hyde County, attending grade school in Bramhall Township and graduating from Highmore High School in 1945. She later attended normal schools in Aberdeen and Madison, South Dakota; receiving her teaching certificate and returning home to teach for five years in Hyde County’s rural schools.
She was united in marriage to Mark Edward Hague, son of Margaret and Alton Hague, on July 6, 1950. They lived and ranched northeast of Highmore in William Hamilton Township for fifty years. They were blessed with four children: Joanne, Janet, Connie and Randy.
Mary worked with special education students in the Highmore School system and worked as a care giver at the Highmore Health Center. She was a lifelong member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, active in the Miriam Circle, and an ELCA district delegate. She enjoyed giving of herself to others.
In 1998, she and Mark retired and moved into Highmore. Mary loved raising beautiful flowers, crocheting, attending the Senior Center, playing cards and reading. She prided herself on working hard, keeping a tidy home and always welcoming friends and strangers alike for coffee and cinnamon rolls. Mary loved her family and was a wonderful mother and grandmother.
Her memory will be cherished by her husband of 59 years, Mark of Highmore; four children and eight grandchildren: Joanne, Amy and Charlie Putnam of Jackson, WY; Janet, Michael and John Gresh of Winston-Salem, NC; Connie, Tom, Amanda and Mark Birdwell of Middleton, OH; and Randy, Kelly, Tracy, Kaitlyn and Mark Hague of Highmore; and one sister: Esther Dittman Perrygo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; eleven brothers and sisters: Herman Dittman, Emil Dittman, Fred Dittman, Floyd Dittman, Albert Dittman, Oscar Dittman, Walter Dittman, Ruth Dittman, Lilly Voelker, Edna Yett and Donald Dittman
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Mary Jean's arrangements.
MINISTER
Pastor David Peterson
CASKETBEARERS
Don Hemminger
Steve Gadd
Greg Clement
Jerry Dittman
Kenny Klebsch
Jim Schuette
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Mary's Family & Friends
ORGANIST
Chantel LaMont
VOCALIST
Robert Bawdon
"Amazing Grace"
MUSIC SELECTIONS
"In The Garden"
"Rock of Ages"
"How Great Thou Art"
GUESTBOOK
Gladine Boschee
FLOWERBEARER
Gladys Volek
USHERS
Dennis Ruzicka
Burton Anderson
INTERMENT
Highmore Cemetery
Highmore, South Dakota
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