Donald Eugene Mitchell, 72, Luverne, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.
A public visitation and private family funeral were Friday, Feb. 19, at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Donald Mitchell was born on Aug. 16, 1948, to Harold and Margaret (Miller) Mitchell in Luverne. He was baptized on Dec. 2, 1951, at the Luverne United Methodist Church. The family moved their one-room house to Hardwick. His favorite pastimes growing up were fishing and hunting and riding his bike to the Blue Mounds State Park. Don graduated from Luverne High School in 1967 and attended Pipestone Vocational School in Pipestone. After graduation he worked for Virgil Ahrendt Construction and then Duane Mulder for a short time. On Dec. 29, 1969, he joined the Minnesota National Guard and was honorably discharged on Dec. 21, 1975.
On Oct. 2, 1971, Don married Marvis Hamann at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. They were blessed with two sons. In 1983 Don began working as a custodian for the Luverne Public Schools. He enjoyed his work with the schools and the students. He retired from full-time work in 2013 but continued part time until the spring of 2020, when he retired completely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020 Don was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Don attended St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. In 2015 he and Marvis transferred their membership to Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. Don enjoyed model trains and the Christmas village he put up every year, which was featured twice in the Rock County Star Herald. He loved cars and took pride in his 1970 Chevelle.
Don is survived by his wife, Marvis; two sons, Jon Mitchell of Luverne and his daughter, Samara Mitchell, and Jeff (Sarah) Mitchell of Fargo, North Dakota; a brother, Curt Mitchell; brother-in-law Lowell (Paula) Hamann; one nephew and many nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Patricia Latten; and a nephew, Richard.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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