Dedrikka Aall Ottesen-Hillis Britt's Obituary
Dikka, as she was known by family and friends, was the second born child to Samuel and Cathinka Hillis on January 21, 1927 in Trinity Hospital, Minot, ND. On the 8th of February, she was christened Dedrikka Aall Ottesen Hillis in the Hillis home in Berthold, ND.
The family, now complete with 4 children (James, Dedrikka, Catinka, and Paul), moved from Berthold to St. Paul in 1935. Her father, Dr. Samuel Hillis completed the requirements to practice medicine in Minnesota.
Upon finishing High School in St. Paul, Dikka attended Hamlin University, graduating in 1947. Her retired parents moved to Florida and she taught in a school in Defuniack Springs, FL. She attained her Master’s Degree at Columbia University and then crossed the country to Tacoma, WA to teach natural sciences at Annie Wright School.
Dikka met Howard Lee Britt, USAF, that first year. They were married in March, 1953 in Ephrata, WA (Moses Lake AFB) where Howard was stationed. Son’s Ross Samuel and Erick Lee were born. The family bought a house and moved to Lakewood, WA in 1960 when Howard was transferred to McCord AFB. Deidre Ellen was born in June 1960. Dikka was still involved in education being a school counselor at Lake’s High School and later with DSHS and the WA State Dept. of Corrections.
Upon Howard’s retirement in 1972, they decided to build a house in Gig Harbor to be closer to Dikka’s employment at Purdy Treatment Center for Women (now known as Purdy Correction Center). This was a life ling dream of Howard’s to build his own house. Upon Dikka’s retirement in 1982, they travelled the United States in their Airstream trailer visiting every State except Alaska and Hawaii.
Howard preceded Dikka in death on January 13, 2016. The home was sold and Dikka moved into the Peninsula Independent Retirement living community where she enjoyed many relationships and friends.
Dedrikka is survived by her brother—James Hillis, Children—Ross Samuel, Erick Lee, and Deidre Ellen; Grandchildren—Brittany Elizabeth, Travis Lee, Alana Louise, and Christina Lisa; Great Grandchild—Tayler Elizabeth.
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