Beverly Mitchell

BEVERLY JULAINE MITCHELL...

On September 12, 1944, BEVERLY JULAINE (Nelson) MITCHELL joined the family of Ole and Viola (Renken) Nelson and her five siblings, Charlotte, Norman, Ronald, Alice and Ole, Jr. They lived on a farm near Cazenovia, MN. Beverly was the third daughter born and learned a strong work ethic at an early age, with little time for play. Her youngest sibling, Laurenda, was born four years later. When Beverly was 13, she was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith on July 6, 1958, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone. She graduated from Verdi Public School in 1962 and was voted senior class president. After graduation, Beverly went on to become a long-distance telephone operator in Luverne. Always desiring to go on to college, her dream came true in 1988, when she graduated from the legal/administrative program at Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie, MN.
Before high school graduation, Beverly started dating her best friend, Gary Allen Mitchell, and on July 6, 1963, they united in marriage at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone. They called Minneapolis, Shakopee and Jasper their home over the course of their marriage of over 55 years. Of that union their daughter, Hollie, and their son, Mark, were born. Both were taught by Bev’s example the importance of having a strong saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Beverly was an active contributing member of the community. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for several age levels, along with serving as a camp counselor, cook, and chaperone. She acted as president and vice-president of the church’s women’s association as well as chair of the Legal Students Club at Hennepin Tech. Beverly helped start and organize Faith Lutheran Church in Shakopee and was their first church secretary. She became a certified trainer in the Evangelism Explosion training program and learned to share her faith with numerous people throughout the Shakopee and Jasper area, leading many to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
While living in Shakopee she served as a Junior High principal’s secretary, a legal secretary to the J. Patrick Leavitt law firm, an analysis secretary to Rahr Malting Co. and then went on to become a legal secretary to the Shakopee city attorney and city clerk. She joined Toastmasters and became a Certified Competent Toastmaster entering speech contests and winning in various competitions. Public speaking was one of her passions.
Beverly lived out her faith and for the past 18 years was a member of Christ the King Free Lutheran Church in Pipestone. She served her Lord by witnessing to anyone who would listen and through guiding Bible studies. While working in Pipestone, Beverly served as administrative assistant to the Pipestone Area Schools’ superintendent, Dr. Jerry Horgen, and secretary to the school board. In 2007, Beverly retired from the work force, but continued volunteering and joined several service groups. She was active in Hospice, the Progress Study Group in Jasper, the Ihlen-Eden Senior Citizens, Christian Women’s, the Red Hat Society and the Pipestone Food Shelf. Living in the middle of the Split Rock Creek State Park near Ihlen, Beverly enjoyed opening up her home for house tours, bed and breakfast guests, a coffee party, a church picnic or a Christmas tour. Another joy was decorating tables with a theme for the Tour of Tables, a fundraiser for a local nursing home. Antiquing with her husband was one of her greatest pleasures, traveling all over the country in search of that special find. When the grandchildren, Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel, had school breaks, each had their turn to go on a trip to a favorite vacation spot with Grandma and Papa. In 2009, Beverly published her first book entitled, Looking Back.
After a full and eventful life, it was time for Beverly to slow down and rest awhile. As her years progressed, she endured several health issues and a weakened body. About three weeks ago, she began receiving home hospice care because of her battle with cancer. On Tuesday, December 4, she broke her leg and was admitted into the Pipestone County Hospice House. It was at this time that the Lord decided, “enough is enough.” God took her home to heaven to suffer no more on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the age of 74 years, two months, and 26 days.
Beverly is lovingly remembered by her husband, Gary Mitchell; two children, Hollie Mitchell of Chaska, and Mark Mitchell, of rural Jasper; three grandchildren, Sarah (Dan) Thoreson of Shoreview, MN, Rebecca Olene of St. Paul, MN, and Rachel Olene of Chaska, MN; two great-grandchildren, Henrik Thorbjorn Thoreson and Nora Beverly Thoreson; two sisters, Charlotte Johnson of Fergus Falls, MN, and Laurenda (Jim) Frakes of Minneapolis, MN; one brother, Ole (Peggy) Nelson of Waco, TX; four brothers-in-law, Bill Claussen of Hardwick, MN, James Mitchell of Pensacola, FL, Gordon (Lou) Mitchell of Salinas, CA, Keith (Patti) Mitchell of Pipestone; seven sisters-in-law, Marlys (Francis) Hazelton of Pipestone, Judi Brennan, Betty Zeik of Sioux Falls, SD, Vicki (Kevin) Miller of Sparks, NV, Shirley Mitchell of Far West, UT, Gerri Mitchell of Trosky, MN, Mila Mitchell of Trosky; and her God-son, David Nelson of Hanska, MN.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Viola Nelson; her parents-in-law, Ed and Eloise Mitchell; one sister, Alice Claussen; two brothers, Ronald and Norman Nelson; six brothers-in-law, Junior Johnson, Kenneth Mitchell, Douglas Mitchell, Don Mitchell, Dennis Zeik and Robert Brennan; three sisters-in-law, Sarah Nelson, Nancy Mitchell, and Rose Mitchell; four nephews, Chad Nelson, Daniel Nelson, Tommy Kortleever, and Timmy Kortleever; and a niece, Mary (Nelson) Clerc.

May God bless her memory.