Donald Mitchell was born May 12, 1925 in Lakeview, SD to Jess Mitchell and Laurine May. Much of his youth was spent in the Sparks-Norden area. His parents and siblings moved to Washington during the thirties. He returned to Nebraska, where he met his future wife, Lucille Bauch. They were married on November 9, 1951 at Port Orchard, WA. They returned to Nebraska, where they both lived out their lives. Their daughter, Linda, survives them. Donald passed away on May 2, 2019 in Lincoln, NE. He was ten days shy of his 94th birthday.

Don always said his favorite jobs were working on the Jim Lee Ranch, working for Mac McCrary and his last job on the Cherry County Road Crew. In the last job, he got to work in his old stomping grounds, the Sparks area and was able to help many of the folks he knew growing up.

Don loved sports and loved to attend sporting events at Valentine High. He coached a little league teams, played men's softball, watching local high school sports, loved hunting and ice fishing. During hunting season, you would always see him early in the morning in his pickup with a big black Labrador dog in the back. He discovered golf later in life and was a constant figure at the old golf course, whether it be golfing or mowing. He learned how to make knives from his best friend, Gary Galloway. Many of Don's family and friends were given his creations, especially those who deer hunted.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of over 61 years, Lucille, his parents, his siblings, Charles, Marjorie (Rix), George, Anna (Bolinger), Dean, Ruth (Ackerman), Bonny and Robert. He is survived by daughter, Linda of Lincoln, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews, all of which were very special to him.

In lieu of flowers, etc, the family would like donations sent to the Valentine Community School Athletes Department, care of Gus Brown. The address is 431 N. Green, Valentine, NE 69201.
Graveside funeral services for Donald Mitchell will be June 22, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Valentine, NE. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines are handling the service.