Selma Ella Dittmar Hanson departed this earth on May 25, 2010 and is now in Heaven enjoying being able to walk and dance again! She died peacefully at her home with her family nearby. Born November 12, 1917 in Bluff Springs, Texas, Ella was the second child and first girl born to Frank Joe Dittmar and Ida Lena Alma Kieke Dittmar. She had four siblings, Ernest Dittmar (Madie), Alice Grobowsky (Alvin), Annie Schmidt (Edgar) and Frank Dittmar, Jr. (Betty). Ella was baptized and confirmed in Salem Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas and married in St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas. Ella attended schools in Bluff Springs, Texas before graduating from Austin High School in 1934. She graduated from Nixon Clay Business College and worked as a Service Representative at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. After time off to raise her two children, she held the position of Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools, Del Valle ISD, until her retirement. Ella met the love of her life, Harold Alfred Hanson, at a dance in July, 1937 and married him September 4, 1938. Harold and Ella were married 53 years before his death in 1991. They were blessed with two children – Nancy and Gaynor. Music played an important role in Ella's life. She was a gifted pianist and at age 13 played at services in Salem Lutheran Church, Elroy, Texas. Ella sang and played piano in the band "Moonlight Skippers" with her brother, Ernest. In later years, she played piano for St. John's Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas and enjoyed trips to nearby nursing homes playing for residents there. Ella was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings and their spouses; and her husband. Left to cherish wonderful memories are her children, Gaynor Hanson and Nancy Mellenbruch (Larry); grandchildren, David Mellenbruch (Kitty), Chris Mellenbruch (Leslie), Aaron Hanson (Michelle), and Mandy Huckaby (Brian); great-grandchildren, Meagan Mellenbruch, Lorelei Mellenbruch, Justin Mellenbruch, Mason Cantrell, Alex Cantrell, Addison Hanson, Brooklyn Huckaby and Kailyn Huckaby. Special recognition needs to be made to Ella's caregiver for the past year, Diane Gleason, who is a blessing to the family. Denise May of Health Sense Home Care was a wonderful nurse in Ella's last months. Heart to Heart Hospice made Ella's final days a dignified transition and we thank Keri Doggett and Nurse Mary Burgess and her team for making that happen. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 South Congress Avenue. A Church Service will be held at 10:00 am on May 28, 2010 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 409 West Ben White Freeway, Austin, Texas. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm at Cook-Walden Capital Park, Pflugerville, Texas. Pallbearers are Larry Mellenbruch, David Mellenbruch, Chris Mellenbruch, Aaron Hanson, Brian Huckaby, and Rickey Schmidt. Honorary Pallbearers are Justin Mellenbruch, Lorelei Mellenbruch and Meagan Mellenbruch. Those desiring to make memorials in Ella's memory may do so to St. John's Lutheran Church, 409 West Ben White Freeway, Austin, Texas 78704. Ella loved her church and her church family and will be eternally grateful.
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