Elizabeth "Betty" J. Anderson-Ditter

Elizabeth (Betty) J. Schell Ditter, 84, of Devils Lake, formerly of Crary ND and Burien, Washington passed away on Wednesday, December16, 2020 due to complications from COVID 19 at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood, North Dakota with family at her bedside.

Funeral Services for Betty will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.

Elizabeth Jane (Schell) Anderson Ditter was born September 6, 1936 in Devils Lake, North Dakota to Valentine (Shorty) and Barbara Schell. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic High School.  She then married Ronald Anderson of Crary, and they had seven children together.

During this time, Betty was a very active member of the Crary and Devils Lake communities. She was a 4-H leader for many years and later became a member of the Crary school board.   Betty was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Crary where she was a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Ladies Aid circle. Betty was also a cherished worker for several businesses within the Devils Lake community and was an Elk’s ladies auxiliary member.  She was an avid antique collector who was known as a knowledgeable and savvy buyer at local antique shows and auctions.

Betty later moved to the Seattle area and while there married David Ditter on November 5, 1993. As a life-long learner, Betty took pride in learning many new skills and was a valued employee of the Boeing corporation for 10 years until her retirement in 2001. Outside interests included western dancing and spending time with family at their frequent gatherings throughout the Seattle area.

 In 2002, Betty and her husband David moved back to her hometown of Devils Lake. Betty was devoted to caring for her husband David until his death in 2006.  Betty stayed active by participating in a women’s bowling league, attending her many grandchildren’s sporting events throughout the Lake Region, and participating in several church group activities.  She enjoyed attending community concerts, doing volunteer work at the historical society, and having coffee with her dear friends.

Throughout her life, Betty never lost her love of fashion and was always a stylish trendy dresser. She had an intense interest in local history, and especially liked learning about the Dakota pioneer families which included those from whom she was descended.

Betty is survived by:

Siblings: Robert (Alice) Schell (Sitka, Alaska), Jeanette Wood (Sun City, Arizona), Carrol (Juan) Rodriquez (Sun City, Arizona).

Seven Children: Gayla Martin, Dawn Abrahamson, Tammy Jo Hoefert, Kirby Anderson, Scott (Tammy) Anderson, Lisa (Terry) Thue and Rhonda (Jeff) Russo.

Twenty-three Grandchildren, several step-grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Father of her seven children: Ron.

Special friends including Ron’s sister, Janice Wilhelm, and so many others.

Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents (Valentine and Barbara Schell), her husband David Ditter, two sons-in law (Boot Martin and Sonny Abrahamson) and a great-granddaughter (Sophia Abrahamson).