Lola C. Mitchell

STERLING – Lola C. Mitchell, 92, of Sterling, died Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, surrounded by her loving family.

Born Feb. 16, 1921, in Edgewood, she was the daughter of Arthur Henry and Bertha Doris (Strackeljohn) Bartels. She was united in marriage to Virgil R. Mitchell on Aug. 20, 1947.

As a youngster, Lola worked on the family dairy farm with her parents, milking the cows. She later worked at the glove factory in Effingham for 6 years. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lola enjoyed cooking, especially her family-famous fried chicken, which everyone loved to eat. She enjoyed bird watching, embroidering, and sewing. In her spare time, you would find her watching an episode of “Wheel of Fortune.”

Those left to honor her memory are her daughters, Vivian Sue Mitchell of Apopka, Fla., and Sheila Bittner (Jeff Kindle) and Sharon Smithee, both of Rock Falls; sons, Larry (Marlene) Mitchell of Rock Falls and Dennis (Barbara) Mitchell of Pardeeville, Wis.; her 14 grandchildren, Michelle (Terry) Adams, Nina Cater, Marissa Mitchell, Henry, Robert, Charles, and David Mitchell Jr., Ross Mitchell, Laura Mitchell, Shannon (Justin) Van Zuiden, Brandon Bittner, Shane (Lauren) Smithee, Scott (Katie) Smithee, and Ashley (Adam) Bright; her 15 great-grandchildren, Nicholas Adams, Nathanial Cater, Daniel Adams, Maggie Adams, David Mitchell III, Brandon Mitchell, Landon Van Zuiden, Noah Van Zuiden, Mason Smithee, Kyle Smithee, Haley Bright, Matthew Smithee, Aubrey Bright, Cole Smithee, and Ryleigh Smithee; and two brothers, Wilbur (Virginia) Bartels of Shumway and Walter (Judy) Bartels of Mason.

Lola was preceded in death by her husband on Nov. 10, 1972; two sons, David Mitchell and Leonard Mitchell; two grandchildren, Jeremy and Joshua; four brothers, Clarence, Carl, Monroe, and Cecil; and three sisters, Anna Kinkaid, Nora Ashby, and Berniece Gressel.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls.  The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dalmus Meeks officiating. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling.

A memorial has been established to the Paralyzed Veterans Association.

Visit www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.