Christann "Chris" Kay Dittman (nee Dettman), age 82, was called to rest on Friday, June 20, 2025, at her home, with her daughter by her side. Christann's nurturing spirit, unwavering support, and boundless love will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Chris was born on November 20, 1942, in Wonewoc, WI, daughter of the late Harold and Rosella (Oudenhoven) Dettman. She graduated as valedictorian from Wonewoc-Center High School in 1960. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1964 and then a Master's of Science in Education with a Reading major in 1976, both from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Chris taught for 39 years as a reading specialist and an elementary school teacher. She worked in the Holmen, Onalaska, Bangor, and Clintonville school districts. Outside of the classroom, Chris volunteered her time as a girls' basketball coach, an AODA counselor, a cheerleading advisor, Outdoor Education Lab leader, a committee member and conference chair for the Wisconsin State Reading Association, and a state curriculum development committee member for the Wisconsin School Evaluation Consortium. Chris retired from full-time teaching in 2002. Chris was a 40-year member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Nu chapter and was awarded the Order of the Golden Rose for her over 50 years of membership in the Beta Zeta sorority. In 1988, Chris received the Hillshire Farm's Recognition of Excellence in Teaching award.

Chris was a devoted mom who cherished time spent with her daughter. Words cannot properly describe the depth of their bond or their years of memories. When her daughter grew up and became a mom herself, Chris loved also spending time with her grandchildren and found great joy in helping support their dreams. Chris was an avid reader with a love of quilting and gardening. She was a Master Gardener and supported three local gardens. She was a past board member for the Friends of the Clintonville Public Library and enjoyed helping with their used book sales. Chris also volunteered her time at Mount Olive Lutheran Church and School and fostered dogs through Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin. Chris was a fan of Alan Jackson and was listening to his music until the end.

Family and friends were a focus of Chris' life, and she was always up for laughter and adventures with them. There are many fond recollections of Chris on vacations, fall color tours, sister reunions in South Carolina, YMCA bus trips, and get-togethers with family and friends. In her final weeks, Chris spoke of her thankfulness for all the great memories she had, such as family road trips and holidays, dinners and game nights with friends, cousins' lunches, quilting retreats, and flea market excursions to name a few. Chris said she was truly blessed throughout her life by such wonderful family and friends.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter: Laura (Brian) Nason of Freedom, WI; four grandchildren who knew Chris as their beloved Gramma: Brett Nason, Ryn Nason, Erick Nason, and Anna Nason; a sister: Sally Byington of Wonewoc, WI; cousins, nephews, a niece, other relatives, and close friends. Chris was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Rosella Dettman; a sister: Monica Stroud; a brother: Ron Dettman; two brothers-in-law: Lloyd Byington and Ernest Stroud; a sister-in-law: Judy Dettman; a niece: Heather Richmond; and several other close friends and loved ones.

Chris' family would like to thank the staff of ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center-Appleton and Froedert's Cancer Center for their involvement during her 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer, as well as the staff of St. Croix Hospice for helping the family provide care for Chris at home in her final weeks. In our hearts, Chris lives on, and we will forever honor the memory of a remarkable woman who made a lasting impact on those who had the honor of knowing her.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton, WI. A time of visitation will be held before the service from 9:30-11:00 AM. Interment will be at Pine Eden Cemetery in Wonewoc, WI, at a later date.

A memorial fund for Chris has been established. Memorial gifts should be made to the "Christann Dittman Memorial Fund" within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, 4455 W. Lawrence St., Appleton, WI 54914. Gifts can be made by making a donation via check with the memorial fund's name in the memo line, or online by visiting: https://cffvr.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=7831