Harold E. Mitchell

Harold Eldean Mitchell was born to Glen and Alice (Kurtzer) Mitchell on June 26, 1932 in Wymore, NE.  He lived on the Wymore family farm until they moved to the home place southeast of Sprague, NE.  He attended Rose Hill Elementary and graduated from the Central High School.  He attended Doane College in Crete, NE before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

He served in the Navy from 1951 to 1955 spending time in Korea aboard the USS Oriskany.
Harold was united in marriage to Verona Murphy on Nov. 26, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lincoln, NE.  He was engaged in farming with his dad in Sprague and Hickman.  They moved to the farm west of Hamburg, IA in March of 1957.  They lived on the farm until May of 2011 when forced by flooding to the City of Hamburg.

After the move to Hamburg, Harold became a very active member of his community and surrounding areas.  He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamburg serving on the Parish Council and other committees.  He served as a member of the Hamburg School Board and the local Hamburg Food Pantry.  He was a current member of the American Legion belonging to both the Hamburg Post #156 and a past member of the Sidney Post #128.  He enjoyed working at the Sidney Rodeo and was a fan as well.  He was a long-time member of the Washington Benton Levee Board and was instrumental in getting the current pumps installed on the Missouri River.  Later in life, he served on the Wetlands Board with the Soil Conservation Service.  He was also a board member of the Shenandoah area CO-OP in the 70’s.  He enjoyed watching all the activities of his grandkids and great-grandkids.

He is survived by Verona, his wife of 63 years; daughter Debra (David) Brake of Sidney, IA, daughter Linda (Gary) White of Hamburg, IA and son Chuck Mitchell of Pella, IA; grandchildren:  Kim (Aaron) Ashlock-Hamburg, Dustin (Melody) Brake-Sidney, Don (Rose) McCown-Watson, MO, Dan (Mindi) Brake-Hamburg, Makaella and Braedyn Mitchell of Grinnell, IA; great-grandchildren:  Payton and Laynee Ashlock, Dane and Landon Brake, Rozlyn and Rogan McCown, Myah and Drayson Brake; three brothers:  Wayne Mitchell-Whiting, IA, Don (Maggie) Mitchell-Sprague, NE and Daryl (Carolyn) Mitchell-Hickman, NE; sister Roma (Robert) Rhodes-Exeter, NE; two sisters-in-law:  Fran (Lyle) Mitchell-Hornick, IA and Kathleen (William) Lehr-Lincoln, NE; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Lyle, sisters-in-law Velva Mitchell and Clarice (Peter) Kortum, son Tom, grandson Doug and nephews Gregg Mitchell and Greg Lehr.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamburg.  Burial will follow at the Hamburg Cemetery in Hamburg, IA with Military Honors conducted by the Hamburg American Legion Post #156.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at the church, followed by a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the family for the rebuilding of Hamburg.

Condolences may be left at www.gudefuneralhomes.com.  Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg is in charge of arrangements.

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