Obit: Mitchell, Ralph D. (1937 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Mitchell, Stevens, Ball, Voegeli, Marsolek, Macik, Novak, Yaeger, Zebro, Collett, Jury

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) August 26, 2009

Mitchell, Ralph D. “Mitch” (30 December 1937 – 22 August 2009) With Flag

Ralph D. “Mitch” Mitchell, 71, of rural Humbird, Town of Mentor, Clark County, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at the home of his son James, under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice.

Mitch was born Dec. 30, 1937, in Dunn County, to Vernon and Emma (Stevens) Mitchell.  He was raised in the Town of Mentor by an aunt, Daisy Stevens; an uncle, Harry Stevens; and his grandmother, Rose Stevens.  He attended grade school in Humbird and graduated from Alma Center High School in 1956.  He also attended welding school at the Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire, for a year.

He served in the National Guard and was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, during the Berlin Crisis.

Mitch had been employed in the wheat fields of the western states for a couple years and later by the Jackson Box Factory of Black River Falls until 1973.  From 1973 to 1981, he drove semi-truck for Worster Trucking.  In 1982, he began his cattle-hauling business, Mitchell Trucking, which he operated until the time of his death.  He also raised beef cattle.  In earlier years, he also raised hogs and operated a saw mill with various relatives.

He married Ginger Ball Oct. 19, 1963, at the Melrose Methodist Church.  The couple lived in Black River Falls until October of 1975 when they moved to the Town of Mentor.

Mitch enjoyed hunting, working with draft horses and working with and visiting the Amish.  As a youngster, he also enjoyed horseback riding.

Survivors include his wife, Ginger; a daughter, Tammy Voegeli of Fairchild; two sons, Robert (Melanie) Mitchell and James (Trudy) Mitchell,  both of Humbird; eight grandchildren, Brandi (Matt) Marsolek, Matthew and Ethan Voegeli, Royce, Tyrel, Holden, Jesse and Andy Mitchell; four great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Alec, and Avery Macik and Kylie Rae Novak; two sisters, Dixie (Norman) Yaeger of Menomonie and Dawn (Bob) Zebro of Wheeler; two brothers, Louis (Judy) Mitchell of Humbird and Bernard Mitchell of Black River Falls; a special uncle and aunt, Ernest and Grace Stevens of Humbird; and numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Emma Mitchell; a granddaughter, Mandy Collett; and a brother, Russell Mitchell.

Funeral services for Ralph D. “Mitch” Mitchell will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls.  The Rev. Lon Jury will officiate, and burial with military rites will be in the Cataract Cemetery.

Family and friends were invited for visitation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Tuesday and are invited Wednesday from noon until 1 p.m. at the Buswell Funeral Home.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.