Ann D Mitchell

Ann D Mitchell, 93, of St. Catherine’s, Iowa, passed peacefully in her sleep on May 16, 2018 at Hawkeye Care Center.

The Funeral Mass for Ann Mitchell will be on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Dubuque, with Rev. Rodney Allers officiating. Burial will take place after the funeral mass in the St. Catherine’s Church Cemetery, along side her husband of 67 years, Loras who passed away just 8 months prior. We know he is probably saying, “What took you so long Anne, I have been waiting for you.” She must be so thrilled to be reunited with the ones who have gone before her, but she will be missed down here.

Ann Mitchell was born April 24, 1925 in Junction, Texas and married Loras Mitchell on December 1, 1951 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Dubuque. Ann was known as “Anne” to her husband and to many others as Mom, Mom Mom, Grandma or Grandma Great. She lived just over 93 years on this earth and that sure did allow a lot of time for some precious memories to be made!

The Dash‑by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on their tombstone from the beginning . . . to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

She always had such a fun imagination; she was a woman ahead of her time. She was a determined self-starter, never afraid to embark on a new adventure: real-estate, dog grooming, tanning salon, raising ostriches, yes ostriches, to name just a few. Even in her later years she could still kick your tail in a game of euchre or hit you with a funny comeback when you were least expecting it, she was full of spunk and pizzazz and always ready with a witty comment.

Her biggest pastime was reading and her favorite hobbies include candle making, punch-work, crocheting, riding around her yard in the golf cart, tea parties with the granddaughters, euchre and the stories shared about her journey through life such as being a “Rosie the Rivetor” for ships in the Astoria, Oregon shipyard during WWII and as a young girl picking cotton in Texas after her family lost everything in the depression.

Mother will be a “traveling grandma” until she is reaches her final resting place beside our dad on June 23. She will be visiting some of her grandchildren, something that she wasn’t able to do for a long time as her health continued to dwindle. Mother so loved her grandchildren and they loved her as well. Each one felt they were “The Special Grandchild” and each have many great memories of the time they shared together.

She is survived by her children Barb (Loras) Manders, of St. Catherine’s, IA, Belva (Jeannie Costanza) Mitchell, of New Jersey, Pete (Julie) Mitchell, of Las Vegas, NV; Grandchildren Martin (Tressa) Manders, JoAnn (Kevin) Herrig, Linda Manders, Jeff (Dawn) Manders, Richard (Cindy) Manders, Shaina Mitchell, Steven Mitchell, Pam (Mitch) Hayes & Kenny (Julia) Mitchell; 17 great grandchildren and 18 great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband Loras, son Darwin, parents, two brothers and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers an Ann Mitchell memorial fund has been established.

The family would like to thank Molly Manders, Hawkeye Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their care and comfort.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.