DITTRICH, Gerald Alex
          July 30, 1940 - December 3, 2018 Jerry passed away peacefully on December 3rd, two days after an unexpected heart event. He was born in Spokane on July 30th, 1940 to Eleanor and Alfred Dittrich. He graduated from LC High in 1958, then attended PLU and Wartburg Seminary where he earned his BA and Masters of Divinity. His first call as a Lutheran minister was in Sprague, WA where he met and married Marla Jo Slechta. Marla was a widow with two young daughters, so Jerry became a husband and father all at once. The new family took another call to Deer Park a few years later and lived there until their youngest graduated in 1985, when they moved to Spokane's South Hill. Jerry took a job at the Spokane County Jail as a guard and then as an educator. He retired in 2005. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, politics and most of all family time and traveling. He and Marla visited (and sang with a choir in) Germany and New York and took numerous trips to the Oregon coast. He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Melany Box. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marla Jo, daughter Dana (Kyle) Ryan, grandson Collin Ryan, granddaughter Jessi Box, brother Richard (Barbara) and niece Jennifer. He never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him. His bold laugh and big hugs will be forever appreciated and missed.