Erwin Leroy Mitchell

Erwin “Mitch” Mitchell was born April 1, 1930 to Walter and Martha (Nielsen) Mitchell in Tyler, Minnesota. He grew up in Lake Benton and graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1948. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and worked as a mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and returned to Lake Benton. On June 13, 1953, he was united in marriage to Barbara DeSchepper in Jasper, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with three children, Susan, Kevin, and Kathy. The couple lived in Lake Benton and Mitch was the owner and operator of Mitch’s Texaco in Lake Benton. He retired in 1990. He drove school bus for 40 years from 1956-1996 for Lake Benton School. Barbara died August 6, 1993. He was united in marriage to Jean Moon on June 1, 1996 and the couple made their home in Marshall, Minnesota. For the past several years they spent the winter season in Florida. Jean died April 29, 2008. On December 27, 2011, Mitch died at his home in Marshall at the age of 81 years, 8 months, and 26 days.

Mitch was a member at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall and a former long time member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. He served the Lake Benton Fire Department for over 20 years and was a member of the Henry Sollie American Legion Post #10 in Lake Benton. Mitch enjoyed fishing, watching Minnesota Twins baseball, Vikings football, and especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed by his children, Susan Deckert of Glencoe, Minnesota, Kevin (and Deb) Mitchell of Jackson, Minnesota, and Kathy Hess of Burnsville, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Kelly Mitchell, Tim Mitchell, Brad Mitchell, Chelsey Mitchell, Brady Deckert, and Ben Deckert; great grandson, Kayden; sister, Janice Thompson of Minneota, Minnesota; step-children, Ron Moon of Marshall, Minnesota, Garry Moon of Las Vegas, Nevada, Marlo (and Deb) Moon of Cottonwood, Minnesota, Mike (and Deb) Moon of Portland, Oregon, Jolene Moon of Monticello, Minnesota, Karen Moon of Marshall, Minnesota, Robin (and Jerry) Traen of Minneota, Minnesota, and Stacy Moon of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 27 step-grandchildren; 32 step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great-grandson; other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Mitchell and his second wife, Jean Mitchell; and an infant brother. Blessed be his memory!