Ellen Irene MITCHELL

MITCHELL, MERRIAM, MALAND, MITCHELL-MALAND, HOYT, RICHTER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/22/2010 at 11:37:55

3 May 1906 -- 21 June 2005

Ellen Irene Mitchell started her life’s journey on 3 May 1906, the eldest daughter of Lennie Osborn Mitchell and Jennie Elizabeth Merriam Mitchell. Ellen grew up in the Corwith area, living both on the farm and in town. She graduated from Corwith High school in 1925. After completing high school, Ellen embarked on a work career that took her to Algona, Mason City, Omaha and Des Moines. Her career included managing the dining rooms and banquet halls in an era of grand hotels. She was known by the hotel owners, her staff and patrons as one with an eye for detail and impeccable service. She prided herself on protocol and etiquette, making sure everything was just right for her guests. Many affectionately referred to her as “Miss Ellen” and kept in touch with her for many years. Ellen was a gifted historian even in her later years. Throughout her life she delighted in sharing fascinating stories with her nieces and nephews about her childhood experiences and adventures. She had a knack for putting a humorous spin on her stories whether they involved the hard physical labor involved in keeping house and living on the farm in the early days, or chauffeuring her grandfather, Albert in his Model T Ford on their rambling cross country road trips. Through her long life she had a front row seat to innumerable world and technological changes. More than once she exclaimed, “My, things they are a changing!” She related stories of working at the Hotel Fort Des Moines during World War II,, where soldiers often stopped on leave or came for USO events. She was also fortunate to have met many political and Hollywood entertainment figures while acting as head dining hostess at the Kirkwood Hotel, a popular after hours meeting spot located just down the street from the state capitol building. Some of these personalities she found quite interesting, others she would describe with a grin as “not so much”. “After all,” she would quip, “politics is much oration, followed by little operation”. Her recounting of these stories often had her audience laughing and at the same time feeling enriched for having heard a personal snapshot and perspective on history as it unfolded. Always, central to her stories were family and the community she lived in. She was truly a conduit for connecting generations and eras.

Ellen returned to live in Corwith in the 70’s to care for her ill and aging mother. She lived in the family home on Standring Street almost until the time of her death. Ellen never married. Once, when asked why, she paused a moment to contemplate, and then exclaimed with a chuckle and a wave of her arm, “Well, I just never quite found the time!” Instead she doted on her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed many hobbies including reading, gardening, baking and was a faithful letter writer. It was not unusual for her nieces or nephews to receive a box of Ellen’s famous orange slice or raisin cookies in the mail or an envelope full of carefully selected newspaper clippings. Visiting guests often left her house with packages containing cuttings from her various plants. Ellen was always self reliant. She took great pride in independently keeping both her home and garden up to a couple years before passing. Although not an extrovert, Ellen’s greatest joy was to receive family and friends in her home and share time with them. She will be fondly remembered for her sharp intelligent wit, a steadfast devotion to her family, an occasional streak of stubbornness, but above all, a kind heart and giving nature.

Ellen departed this world on Tuesday June 21st at the age of 99. She was preceded in death by her sister Alberta Lillian Mitchell-Maland in Jan. of 1985, brother-in-law Lismore Maland in 1987 and nephew, Mark Maland in 2003. She is survived by her brother Robert L. Mitchell and wife, Gladys, of Corwith, her nieces and nephews; Mike L. Mitchell of Swisher, Iowa, Jean M Hoyt and husband, Mark, of Flower Mound, Texas, David A. Mitchell, and Julie L Richter and husband, James, also of Corwith, as well as 9 great nieces and nephews and 10 great great nieces and nephews.

Visitation:
Friday, June 24, 2005
4:00 PM until 6:00 PM
Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home
Corwith, Ia

Service:
Friday, June 24, 2005
6:30 PM
Corwith Cemetery
Corwith, Ia

http://www.funeralplan.com/oakcrestfuneralservices/archive?id=47201