Anita Jegeris Dittrich

Anita Jegeris Dittrich, 91, Mankato, died Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at her residence n Mankato. Funeral service will be held at 11am Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 5- 8 pm Friday, January 9, 2025, at Woodland Hills Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the Mass. Private interment will be held at a later date at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Anita was born on September 11, 1934, in Riga, Latvia, to Karlis and Alise (Smits) Jegeris. Forced from their homeland during WWII, she and her family lived in Germany for five years before immigrating to the United States in 1949. She was a graduate of Mankato High School and Mankato State University with BS and MS degrees. She was married to Jerome “Jerry” Dittrich on December 28, 1957. Anita and Jerry welcomed children Mark (1959) and Ingrid (1962). They adopted 2-year old Tony in 1969 and then she gave birth to Arvid (1970). Anita worked for 25 years in various MSU departments. She retired from her full-time role in 1996 and then worked for 11 years part-time with MSU’s Lifelong Learners.

Anita was engaged in her community in many ways. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Latvian Church in Minneapolis. She held leadership and/or volunteer roles with AAUW, YWCA, Girl Guides in Germany and Girl Scouts in Mankato, THEOS (widow/widower support group),Solo Parents & Singles Club, Summit Center Stompers (line dancers). In retirement, she was active with Lifelong Learners; VINE, including the Stompers, the Spelling Group, and the Memoir Group; and activities within the Willowbrook community.

Anita lived life to its fullest. She loved being a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, friend. She loved celebrating–birthdays, graduations, weddings and even funerals. She was a proud Latvian and a proud American. While loving life, she was at peace with death

She is survived by sons, Mark J. (Cindy) Dittrich of Burleson, TX; Tony J. (Julie) Dittrich of N. Mankato, and Arvid K. Dittrich of Mankato; daughter, Ingrid (Curt) Fleming of St. Paul; grandsons Jeremy Dittrich, Kyle Dittrich, Zachary Dittrich, Joshua Dittrich, Nathan Fleming, Duncan Fleming; three great-grandchildren; brother, Maris Jegeris of Lead,
SD; cousins in Latvia: Ziedite Smite and Inara Vanaga, and other relatives in Latvia; many nieces and nephews.

Anita is preceded in death by her parents Karlis Jegeris and Alise (Ali) Lange; husband, Jerry in 1979; stepfather, Martins Lange and many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Memorial donations can be made to Vine Faith in Action, Latvian Church of Mpls/St. Paul or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Anita’s family welcomes stories or memories you wish to share. You can leave a message on her phone: (507)340-0520.