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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Arnold Ditch
ARNOLD J. DITCH
Cedar Rapids
Arnold Ditch, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha.
A celebration of Arnold's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at All Saints Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. A luncheon will be served after Mass at the church. Military rites will follow at Shiloh Cemetery in Hiawatha. Visitation will be
held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday,
Feb. 10, at Papich-Kuba Janeba Chapel West (1604 J St. SW), where a 4 p.m. vigil service will take place.
Arnold James Ditch was born Dec. 3, 1930, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Francis and Mary (Snobl) Ditch. He grew up in Bertram and attended school at McKinley. Arnold proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954. He married Dolores Marie Skarda on Jan. 30, 1956, in Cedar Rapids. Arnold and Dolores celebrated a loving commitment of 61 years of marriage.
Arnold was a generous and supportive father, husband, grandfather and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Leonard Ditch; and sister-in-law, Donna Ditch.
His best friend and partner of 61 years, Dolores, survives him. He was extremely proud of his children: two sons, Kenneth (Becky) Ditch and Loren (Sharon) Ditch; and two daughters, Kathy (Gary) Rumelhart and Loraine (Roger) Osborn. He also is survived by his brothers, Stanley (Dorothy) Ditch, Delbert Ditch and Larry (Sharon) Ditch; baby sister, Mary (David) Shakespeare; and sister-in-law, Patti Ditch. Arnold left a living legacy of four children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as his many loving friends.
Arnold was a grain and livestock farmer in the Center Point area for 37 years. He touched many lives with 28 years of driving a school bus to sporting events, field trips and a route for Center Point-Urbana community school. Arnold always was ready to lend a hand to family, friends and neighbors. He enjoyed fishing, sporting events and spending time with his family.
Our family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the staff of the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center ICU and Home Care Comfort for their loving care and support.
Memorial donations will be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
With tender love and deep regret ... we who love you will never forget.
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