Kathryn Fern Dingman went to be with her Heavenly Father on October 1, 2021. She was born on Oct.7, 1927 to Stanley and Trudy Swenson of Bangs, Texas. She grew up on a farm picking cotton, taking care of cows, and helping her dad in the garden. Kathryn was close to her 3 sisters and many cousins and later her baby brother. She was highly studious and was valedictorian of her Bangs High School class and graduated a year early.
After high school, Kathryn worked for Western Union as a telegraph operator. While working in Roswell, New Mexico she met a handsome young soldier and fell in love. After Alvin Dingman served his tour of duty, they were married on Feb. 13, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas. They went to Hartford, Connecticut where she worked for Liberty Mutual as a secretary. Soon she became a mom to Patricia and a year later to Ronald. She enjoyed being a stay at home mom. The one that thing she didn’t enjoy was being in the cold weather of Connecticut and then Watertown , NY. She missed her family, Texas, warm weather, and Dr Pepper!!! When Alvin got a job in Grand Prairie working at LTV, she was delighted to be back in her beloved Texas!
She later had another son Don and then her baby daughter Roberta. Kathryn achieved her dream of having 2 boys and 2 girls and loved being a mom! She also participated in her Sunday School class,the New Life’s Couples Class, the United Methodist Woman’s group, volunteered as a part-time secretary for the church pastor, and also volunteered with Head Start. In 1974, she also served as Vice-President of the Texas Aggies Mother's Club. Kathryn was always a room mother and active in the PTA at Travis Elementary. She was a den mother for her son’s Cub Scouts and was beloved by all those scouts. Later, she would volunteer to go on band trips as a chaperone and kept many of those kids in line.
When they became empty nesters, Kathryn became very interested in genealogy and became passionate about finding her family roots as well as Alvin’s. She became an avid researcher and a member of the GP Genealogy club- she even became familiar with the computer so she could do her research.
When Alvin became sick with cancer, Kathryn went to work as a lunch room worker at Crockett / Lee in GP- it was scary to start working after all the years being at home, but she loved the interaction with the staff and especially the kids. Oh how she loved coming home and sharing stories about the kids and how she always made them use their manners!!
It wasn’t long before Kathryn became a grandmother and loved her new phase of life . She relished this new position and was so attentive . She especially loved reading stories to them and taught them early to play card games like Old Maid, Slap Jack, and Go Fish, as well as board games Parcheesi and Chinese Checkers.
Kathryn was the card sender, never forgetting each holiday, and birthday with her famous X and O’s !!! Of course, there was usually money involved!!
One of Kathryn’s favorite pastimes besides reading her Bible, the newspaper, Reader’s Digest, and Our Daily Bread, was working out in her yard. She was always the farmer’s daughter and she enjoyed seeing the beautiful blooms. She was usually out everyday that the weather was nice !!
Kathryn was always a prayer warrior and had a deep faith.
In March of 2021, after being so fiercely independent, she finally decided she needed more help. She sold her house of 70 years and moved in with her daughter Roberta. She went through several transitions from moving to Roberta’s , moving to granddaughter Lauren’s house while awaiting their new home, and finally in July she was so excited to be in their new home. It was devastating to lose her oldest daughter Pat to Alzheimer’s but she was glad to see her at peace with the Lord. Sadly, infections started slowing her down , and became chronic. After battling those several years , she had to be admitted to the hospital where we found out that she had an inoperable bladder tumor.
Kathryn has fought the good fight and has been a faithful servant. There is no doubt that she was delighted to be welcomed in the arms of Jesus and see her beloved husband of 48 years.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Trudy, her sister Johnnie, sister Maudie Lou, brother Holder, husband Alvin C. Dingman, nephew Leon Eason, and daughter Patricia Schoenfeld.
She is survived by her sons Ronald Dingman, and Donald Dingman, daughter Roberta , grandsons Bruce Ulrich, Jordan Sheffield, granddaughters Kristin Bewley and husband George, Cheryl Wilcox, and Lauren Jurek with her husband Jesse. Great- grandchildren include Braxton, Ally , and Xander Wilcox; Faith, Sydney, Leslie, and David Bewley; Katie Ulrich and Christian Jones. Great-great grandson is Nolan Duncan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FUMC Grand Prairie where she was a member for over 50 years.
DONATIONS
First United Methodist Church of Grand Prairie
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18