Emelda “Susie” Ditsworth

Published June 15, 2020 at 8:14 AM

A private family service was held June 13th for Emelda “Susie” Ditsworth of Wadena, at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena with Father Aaron Kuhn as Celebrant. The Memorial Mass for Susie will be celebrated at a later date.

Susie, age 88, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2020, at the Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, MN.

Emelda “Susie” Ann Uselman was born to Louis and Elizabeth (Hanebuth) Uselman on September 9, 1931 in rural Wadena, MN. She attended country school and graduated from Wadena High School.

Susie was united in marriage with George Thomas Ditsworth on September 15, 1953 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. They moved throughout the US: Iowa, Texas, Louisiana, Alaska, North Dakota and Minnesota to support George’s military service. By 1970 they settled down in Minnesota.

Susie enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom for many years. Local residents will remember Susie as the friendly lady at the Ben Franklin, now Hometown Crafts, checkout counter for over 30 years. She took great pride in assisting customers and building relationships and was very proud of the crew she worked with over the years. She enjoyed making memories with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Susie carried a strong faith and personal relationship with God, and will be remembered for her caring heart, love for her family and a passion to help others. She was a member of the Wadena VFW Women’s Auxiliary and Christian Mothers.

Susie was preceded in death by her husband George (9-11-2007), parents Louis and Elizabeth; son Timothy Lee Ditsworth; brothers Frank, George, Nicholas, Leo, Thomas, Peter “Spitz” and Mike Uselman; and sisters Marie Walz, Betty Ronayne and Lori Brauch.

Susie is survived by her children Tom (Marilyn) Ditsworth of Audubon, IA, Carla (Mark) Schwantz of Bertha; Dan Ditsworth of Wadena, and Bryan (Linda) Ditsworth of Wahpeton, ND; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; sister Dottie (Gary) Towery of Woodruff, SC; along with a host of friends.

Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were Chris Ditsworth, Kevin Ditsworth, Nick Schwantz, Allan Robinson, Jared Hoemberg and Joshua Ditsworth.

Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN.

Memorials may be directed to St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena.

Arrangements by the Schuller Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Wadena, MN (www.SchullerFamilyFH.com)