MITCHELL, Michael Louis 1933-2008

DREW, MITCHELL, REICHERTS, OHM

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/18/2008 at 21:40:35

ELMA, IOWA - Michael Mitchell, 75, of Elma, Howard county, Iowa, died on Sunday, November 23, 2008, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Friday November 28, 2008 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Riceville, Iowa. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Riceville, near Riceville, in Mitchell county.

Michael Louis Mitchell was born at his family home in Davis Corners, on March 26, 1933. His parents were Thomas and Loretta (Drew) Mitchell. In 1952, he graduated from Cresco Public Schools.

Mike was married on November 16, 1954, to Delphine Reicherts at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Haven. They were blessed with eight children. After a struggle with cancer, Delphine passed away in 1978, leaving Michael to raise their four youngest children.

On June 21, 1985, he married Joan Ohm at our Lady of Lourdes Church in Lourdes. They are currently members of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Alta Vista.

Mike’s biggest love was spending time with his family. He celebrated life in every moment and was always happiest when surrounded by those he loved. His grandchildren always knew that Grandpa Mike could be counted on for a stick of Big Red or Juicy Fruit gum or an invitation to join him in a polka dance.

He enjoyed working on the farm, proudly proclaiming himself the “Hayman,” as well as hauling grain and hay across the state. He also enjoyed attending community festivals, especially threshing events. He loved camping at the Mid-Summer Mitchell Madness weekend, where he was always the first one to arrive to greet and lend a helping hand to everyone. He appreciated a good meal more than anyone and could give the best descriptions of the experience. Mike found joy in every aspect of life and truly appreciated the little things.

Michael is survived by his wife Joan of Elma; by eight children: James (Carla) Mitchell of Fayette, Randall (Kathy) Mitchell of New Hampton, Cindy (Lyle) Wendland of Charles City, Rebecca (Jay) Dohlman of Riceville, Christine (Steve) Dunn of Kansas City, Elizabeth (Kurt) Christensen of Riceville, Jeffrey Mitchell of Minneapolis, David (Bridgette) Mitchell of Decorah; by his brother, Merle Mitchell; by two sisters, Mary Dvorak and Loretta Brown; by two brothers-in-law, Alex Adams and Gervase Hemann; by 26 grandchildren; by three great-grandchildren; by six stepchildren: Randy, Rick, Sue, Sharyl, Gary and Jacki; by 16 step grandchildren; and by four step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Delphine, by his parents, Thomas and Loretta Mitchell, by his in-laws, Loy and Romel Reicherts, Ray and Marian Wilson, by his sisters-in-law, Lucille (Reicherts) Adams and Patty (Reicherts) Hemann; and by his brothers-in-law, Truman Dvorak and Harley Brown.

Funeral arrangements were by Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville.

[Charles City Press)