Lenore Marie(Dittmar) King

Lenore Marie (Dittmar) King, 102 years, 5 months and 26 days

21 Feb 1914 - 16 Aug 2016

Lenore King, 102, a longtime resident of Aurora, Colorado passed away peacefully at her granddaughter's home in Watkins, Colorado on August 16, 2016. She was born February 21, 1914 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to William and Ilda "Ernestine"(Hirschmann) Dittmar. She was baptized at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church by her Grand Uncle, Rev. Martin J. Von der Au. Her father, W. H. Dittmar, taught Lutheran parochial school there for 48 years.

She attended St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran School and then graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1932. In 1934, Lenore graduated from Tobin Business College in Fort Dodge. She worked at Leighton Supply Company in Fort Dodge for 12 years.

Lenore and her sister, Lois, met their husbands while vacationing in Colorado Springs in 1945. Their future husbands were serving in the Army and stationed at Camp Carson. Lenore married Gerald Edward King of Malone, New York in Fort Dodge, Iowa on February 3, 1946 in a double-ring wedding ceremony with her sister Lois and husband Martin Saumweber.

Her husband, Gerald, received orders for Germany immediately following the end of WWII as part of the Army of Occupation. He was stationed in Bremen, Germany for 3 years. Their first two sons, Maurice and Ellis, were born in Bremerhaven, in 1947 and 1949. After returning home to the United States they lived in Columbus, Georgia a short time. Her husband was then assigned to Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Aurora in 1950. A third son, Randall, was born at Fitzsimmons Hospital in 1951. In 1957, the family returned to Germany and lived in Baumholder and Kusel for 3 years. In 1960 the family moved back to Aurora where her husband was stationed once again at Fitzsimmons General Hospital for most of the remainder of his military and civil service career.

Lenore was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, military wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was also affectionately called "grandma" by many who knew her. Lenore and her family traveled extensively in Europe, Canada, United States including Alaska, and the Caribbean. Her worldwide travels with the family was one of the most cherished aspects of her life and the source of many wonderful memories. Lenore had many hobbies and interests. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, genealogy, reading, traveling, history, Biblical studies, archaeology, and current events. She loved to collect rocks and sea shells and save them as souvenirs on her many travels.

Lenore was an active and devoted member of Hope Lutheran Church in Aurora since its organization in 1953.

Her longevity can be contributed to her strong religious faith, her quest for knowledge, a healthy work ethic, and her gratitude for the little things in life. Her mind remained razor sharp until the last days of her life.

Lenore was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Edward King in 2005, her parents; William Herman and Ilda Ernestine (Hirschmann) Dittmar, grandson Neal Edward King, and sister Lois Helen (Dittmar) Saumweber.

Survivors include sons; Maurice (Carla) King of Aurora; Ellis (Collette) King of Augusta, Maine; and Randall (Joni) King of Louisville. Grandchildren; Eric (Ann) King of Aurora; Vivian (Peter) Hanley of Watkins; Arin (Greg) Rollins of Bangor, Maine; Jessie King of Denver; Victoria (Oscar) Mier of Aurora; Lauren (Sean) Haumesser of Louisville. Great grandchildren; Alexis and Aiden King; Douglas Hanley; Hayden, Seth and Luke Rollins; and Genavieve Mier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lenore's name to Hope Lutheran Church, 1345 Macon St., Aurora, Colorado 80010 (http://www.hope-aurora.org/pages/Welcome.html).

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