Janice Elaine Dittmer

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Janice Elaine Dittmer, at 91 years of age. Passing peacefully in her sleep at home, she has entered her eternal rest and glory with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Janice truly lived up to the meaning of her name; Janice, meaning “gift from God” and Elaine, meaning “bright, shining light.” To know and love her was a great gift, and her very essence shone an unmistakable light on those around her. She had a warmth, kindness, joy and generosity about her that is rare to find. She was a friend to all and loved her family deeply.

Janice was born in 1934 to Mary and Charles Serbousek in the small farming town of Swisher, Iowa. She attended Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids and college at the University of Iowa, where she cemented her status as a forever Hawkeyes sports fan and met her cherished, lifelong friends in Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

On a blind date Janice met and fell in love with LeRoy Dittmer. They were married and moved to his hometown, Waukegan, Illinois. Shortly after, she completed her teaching degree at Lake Forest College in Illinois.

Janice and LeRoy were proud parents to three daughters and one son. Janice was a loving and devoted full-time wife, mother and homemaker. She was an excellent cook and superior seamstress, sewing curtains for her house and many matching outfits for her children.

Once the children were grown, Janice and Lee moved to Lake Forest, Illinois, where she frequented the beach with her son, hosted countless gatherings for her family and developed a passion for gardening (Janice never met a flower that she didn’t like.) Her devotion to her children extended to her grandchildren, as she proudly cheered them on at their many sporting events and performances.

Eight years ago, she started a new life chapter in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada, moving in with her daughter, Carolyn, and her family. With her other daughter, Kim, and her family living just minutes away, she was always surrounded by her loved ones. Her days were filled with puzzling, going out to lunch, playing cards and lounging in the sun enjoying the abundance of flowers in her backyard. She felt that she “got to heaven early!”

Janice was preceded in death by her parents Mary and Charles Serbousek, brother Kenny, her husband LeRoy Dittmer and their son Clark Dittmer. She is survived by daughters, Kim (Marv) Dyson, Karen (Frank) Graziano, Carolyn (Mark) Roselli, along with 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday April 18th at St. Patrick (new) Church, 950 W. Everett Road, Lake Forest, Illinois. Visitation from 10am to 11am. Church service begins at 11am.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Janice's name to Independence Center 2025 Washington St., Waukegan, IL 60085.