Kathleen Mary Dittmer Lyon Obituary (1921 - 2007)

“Kay” Kathleen “Kay” Mary Dittmer Lyon passed away January 5, 2007 after a long struggle with dementia. She was born December 18, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Rhineholt Herman and Catharina Nordhoff Dittmer. She attended Granite High School. She married the love of her life, George Lyon, in Yuma, Arizona on December 13, 1941. Kay and George lived in California where their sons, Wayne and Roger, were born. They then moved to Salt Lake City in 1945 where later their daughter, Barbara and another son, Michael, were born. She helped raise two nephews, John Adams and Lewis Dittmer, whom she considered her own sons. Kay loved gardening and could be seen in her yard daily weeding. She worked as a seamstress and she loved to sew and make clothes for herself and her family. She enjoyed being a social hostess—baking and preparing meals for her family, friends, and church. She also cooked for several nursing homes and served as a civilian cook at the Fort Douglas PX during the 1940’s. Kay also loved writing poetry and had her poems published. She was a member of the Anchor Baptist Church and was a devout missionary, for she loved to share the good news of Christ. Kay always aided anyone in need of assistance. She gave to others whenever she could and found great joy in this as she helped her neighbors when their health failed and would bring them meals and help, in whatever way she could. Above all, Kay loved her grandchildren and had a special way of making each of them feel as if they were her only one. Her gift was love, understanding and compassion for everyone she met. She is survived by her husband, George; children, Wayne (Karen), Roger, Barbara Brady, Michael (Roxanne); 9 grandchildren, Valerie, Kristy, Melissa, Travis, Jessica, Nicholas, Kristopher, Sean, and Cassidy; 11 great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Dorothy and Lorraine. Preceded in death by her mother and father; brothers, Richard, Herman, and William; sister, Eileen; daughter-in-law, Jean; grandson, Wade; and favorite son-in-law, Bill Brady. The family would like to thank the Love Healthcare and Abby’s Nursing for the nurses and aides who helped to keep Kay comfortable and gave her family comfort. Kay will be remembered most of all for her love and hospitality and her famous rolls. She was truly everyone’s friend. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, where family and friends may call from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday evening and from 10:00-10:45 a.m. on Saturday prior to services. Burial will be at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E. 4580 So.