Darrel G. Mitchell

Darrel G. Mitchell age 82 of Balaton, MN died Monday, September 3, 2012 at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton. Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, September 7, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Thursday, September 6, 2012 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Balaton, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, and a luncheon will be served immediately after the burial in the church social hall. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is handling the arrangements. Darrel Gene Mitchell was born May 8, 1930 to Nels M. and Viola (Pehrson) Mitchell in Tyler, MN, Lincoln County. He was baptized on July 10, 1930 and confirmed in February of 1945 at Sillerud Lutheran Church. He grew up on a farm near Balaton, MN and attended country school, before attending Balaton High school, graduating in 1948. He then farmed with his father for several years. On June 29, 1951 Darrel married Ruth Munson in the Russell Presbyterian church. They made their home with Darrel’s parents and farmed together until 1956, when they moved to a farm south of Balaton. After four years, they settled on a farm southwest of Garvin, MN, and after his wife’s death in 2003, Darrel remained there until May of this year. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served on the church board. Darrel also served on the Garvin Elevator Board, was a member of the Drift Breakers snowmobile club and was a member of Red Power, an IH collector’s club. He enjoyed collecting toy tractors and vintage International Harvestor Tractors, snowmobiling and card games. In May of 2012 Darrel became a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton, where he died, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, September 3, 2012 at the age of 82. Darrel is survived by his one daughter, Debra Mitchell of Plymouth, MN; one son, Dennis (Kathy) Mitchell of Garvin, MN; six grandchildren, Kristen Drucker, Kathryn Rasmusson, Heather Mitchell, Heath Mitchell, Chad Mitchell and Nicholas Mitchell; eleven great grandchildren; nieces, nephews , cousins and many friends. His wife, Ruth, his parents, one son, Gerald, three daughters, Jane, Sandra and infant baby girl, one granddaughter, Ceona Mitchell, one brother, Robert, sister-in-law, Mavis Karbo, and brother-in-law, Irving Munson preceded him in death.