Gladys Virginia Mitchell

Gladys Virginia Mitchell
Of Des Moines, Iowa

Gladys Mitchell, passed away at the age of 95 on April 30, 2018, at Good Samaritan Society in Indianola, Iowa. Gladys was born on April 18, 1923, in Fontanelle, Iowa. Mrs. Mitchell grew up on an acreage and graduated from Fontanelle High School. Following graduation, she came to Des Moines and went to work as a billing clerk for John Ruan. Following WWII, she married Everett Anderson and returned to Fontanelle for three years. In 1951, she, with Everett and daughter, Candy, moved back to Des Moines where she again worked for Ruan Transport for a few years before becoming a “stay-at-home” mom. Mrs. Mitchell enjoyed history and, as an amateur genealogist, she traced the Campfield family tree back to 1066 when they traveled from France to England with William the Conqueror. She enjoyed yearly family fishing trips to Minnesota and Arkansas, as well as sight-seeing through the Rocky Mountains and the American Southwest, frequently stopping at historical landmarks. Mrs. Mitchell was also an avid reader and enjoyed working in her flower gardens. Following Everett’s death in 1972, Mrs. Mitchell went to work for the State of Iowa and retired from Job Service in 1988. That year, she married Wayne Mitchell and the two of them traveled widely in the western part of the United States, as well as spending several days each year at their time share in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Mrs. Mitchell had a love for all animals, including cats, dogs, and, as a child, baby goats. She especially enjoyed reminiscing childhood memories and watching old movies with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Candy Meier of Des Moines; grandchildren, Lori Meier of Des Moines and Sean Meier of Granger; sister, Bertha Anderson of Des Moines; six step-children; many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; 3 half-sisters; her first husband, Everett Anderson, who died in February of 1972, and her second husband, Wayne Mitchell, who died in 2004.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018, with funeral service following at 11 a.m., at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Cremation will follow services and urn burial will be held at a later date at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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