Gerald W. “Jerry” Dittmer, 75, of Clarks, died on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Memorial Community Care in Aurora. A private family burial of ashes was held at the Central City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral. com.

Jerry was born on May 4, 1950 in Grand Island to Kenneth and Delores (Fritz) Dittmer.

He grew up in the Clarks area on the family farm and graduated from Clarks High School in 1968. On December 21, 1968, Jerry was united in marriage to Kathleen Hays in Central City.

They made their home on the farm near Clarks, where they raised their three children; Michael, Scott, and Kari. Jerry worked on the farm, drove truck, and hauled hay until recently when his health would no longer allow him to work.

When Jerry had free time, he enjoyed fishing and working on his machinery. Jerry was always quick to give people a hard time, and proud of his ability to plant straight rows.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy of Clarks; his children, Michael (Sarah) Dittmer of Norfolk, Scott (Niki) Dittmer of Clarks, and Kari Dittmer of Stromsburg; his sisters, Karen (Doug) Teten of Talmage, Cheryl (Scott) Euler of Cookeville, TN and Christine (Joe) Carlson of Clarks; his grandchildren, Abigail (Kaden LaFaivre) Dittmer, Aaron Dittmer, Joshua Dittmer, Meagan (Erik Johnston) Dittmer, Courtney (Tyler) Cully, Kyle (Callie White) Dittmer, and AJ (Olivia Brummet) Dittmer; his great-granddaughter, Lily Cully; and sister-inlaw, Cynthia Hays.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Delores Dittmer.

The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | February 19, 2026