Mike Mitchell, 70, of Pella, passed away Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12, 2023, at Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 17, at New Sharon New Life Fellowship Church. Burial will be held in New Sharon Friends Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Mahaska Athletic Boosters, North Mahaska FFA, or Prairie Knolls Country Club.
Michael Leroy Mitchell, son of Leon and Mary (Coffey) Mitchell, was born Aug. 19, 1953, in Oskaloosa. He graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1971 where he participated in basketball, football, and FFA. Following high school, Mike attended Northeast Missouri State for a short time before returning home to the family farm. Sept. 22, 1972, Mike was united in marriage to Barbara Snodgrass at Sully Community Church. To this union, four children were born: Wendi, Alison, Michael, and Ashley. For 10+ years, Mike and Barb farmed and worked side jobs to provide for their growing family. Mike continued to farm while taking on a night shift job at Pella Corp. Deciding to leave farming behind during the 80s, Mike worked his way up through the company to a supervisor then finally to the human resources department before moving his family to Olathe, KS, where he was the HR manager for AFG Industries. In 1997, they relocated to Hampton, where he was business manager for GL Coatings. After 20+ years in the glass industry, he decided to return to his agriculture roots, working various roles in HR and recruiting for Growmark, retiring in 2019. Throughout his career, his wife Barb was by his side having a role behind the scenes giving Mike direction or advice so he could be successful.
Mike was an innovator and problem solver, and had a wealth of knowledge on a variety of things, always learning about new technology and how it could help make him successful in whatever he was doing. He loved fishing, hunting, watching sporting events, and coaching, and was proud of his family. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities they were involved in. In his younger years, he was New Sharon Little League President, and after retiring, he served as president of North Mahaska Athletic Booster Club, and was a member of Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited, along with achieving various certifications within the HR industry including SHRM-CP, PHR.
His memory will be cherished by his wife Barb Mitchell of Pella; four children: Wendi (Brandon) Smith of New Sharon, Alison (Brent) Kramer of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Kelly) Mitchell of New Sharon, and Ashley (Jacob Jackson) Mueller of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren: Hayley Pinkerton, Nash Smith, Kincaid Mitchell, Sawyer Mitchell, Trey Mitchell, Syler Mitchell, Shelby (Chris Kubli) McGriff, Chelsey (Clayton Wagler) McGriff, Braxton Murphy, Victoria Murphy, and Vanessa Murphy; one great-grandson Cooper Wagler with one on the way; one brother Tom (Peggy) Mitchell of Gainesville, FL; one sister, Brenda (Charlie) Sparks of New Sharon; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Mary Mitchell; a son-in-law SFC Ryan Mueller; and a nephew, Travis Mitchell.
