Frances A. Dittler, 96, of Pine Park Retirement Home, died August 18, 2006 of complications from a heart attack and stroke. Though she spent the last 18 months at Pine Park, she had lived in the Hendersonville area and Linville area for much of the last 36 years. She was an avid gardener and while in Hendersonville, participated in the reading tutor program. In her later years, she enjoyed visiting with friends and family, playing board games and cards. She was born in Chicago April 12, 1910, to Franklin and Louise Gates and received her education in Chicago. She married Conrad P. Cornell in 1930 in Chicago. The couple had four children: Conrad F. (Judy, deceased), Linville; Gerald (Carolyn), Bethel Park, PA; Jane (Michael) Brehmer, Libertyville, IL; and Donald, Hendersonville. After her husband''s death in 1961, she moved to Salt Lake City where she grew to love the outdoors and camping. In 1966, she moved to Evanston, IL, where she married Alfred Kruchten several years later. The couple made their home in Hendersonville. Mr. Kruchten died in 1984. She married Capt. Harry Dittler, Sr. (USN Ret.) in Orlando, FL, in 1988 settling in Land Harbor, Linville. The couple traveled extensively in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia before retiring in Hendersonville. Capt. Dittler died in 2004 in Greensboro Hospital. Mrs. Dittler is survived by her daughter and sons; three grandchildren: David Cornell, Hendersonville, Ann (Jeffery) Vickers, Chagrin Falls, OH, and Eric (Stacey) Cornell, Richmond, VA; two great- grandchildren, Allyson Vickers and Caitlyn Cornell; a sister, Carolyn Luedtke, Watertown, WI; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elizabeth House at 511 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or to the Blue Ridge Literacy Council at: PO Box 1728, Hendersonville, NC 28793. Jackson Funeral Service and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.


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