Marilyn Alene Mitchell

Marilyn Alene Mitchell, 84, passed to the next dimension with her last words “Hello, I’m Marilyn” on August 20, 2015 at Arbor Springs. Services will be held Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Waukee Cemetery.

Marilyn was born January 21, 1931 to Edna (Ham) and Elmer Henderson. She attended Van Meter Schools where she met her future husband Jim Mitchell by tripping him on the first day of school. The high school sweethearts later attended college at Drake University and married August 27, 1950. Marilyn worked for the public school system as a kindergarten teacher and later as a school secretary at Garten and Hillis Elementary. At home Marilyn was a great wife and mother! She celebrated and decorated for every holiday and delighted in cooking and baking for her family. The annual Christmas puzzle was just one of several fond family traditions Marilyn created. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed her flower gardens.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 65 years, Jim Mitchell; children, Greg (Donna), Jerry (Rose), and Susan (Randy) Bretag; sister, Sheryl Keenan; grandchildren, Jimmy, Molly and Jerry Mitchell, Sara (Jeff) Mitchell, Bart (Sara) Bretag, and Blair (Carl) Theissen; great-grandchildren, Hanna and Jackson Mitchell, Ashley Bretag, Logan Cheatham, and Kaylee, Aubry and Madi Theissen. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Thayne.

The family wishes to thank Arbor Springs for their love and care of Marilyn.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Alzheimer’s Research. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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