Doris Mae Mitchell

Doris Mae Mitchell, 79, of Park Rapids passed away at home on April 15, 2024.

Doris was born July 22, 1944 to Raymond and Clarabelle Thielbar. The youngest of three children, she graduated in 1962 from Orono High School. After her first marriage in 1963 she was blessed with three daughters. She moved to Washington State in 1977 and in 1982 she married Daniel Mitchell. They moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota in 1989 when they bought the Y-Not Mobile Home Court.

She worked a variety of jobs over her lifetime including telephone operator, secretary, business owner, restaurant manager, dispatcher, cashier, hospitality manager and guest services. Locally she worked at J&B Foods, Hubbard County Sheriff’s Department, C’Mon Inn, and 3M -Wonewok.

Doris loved God, her husband, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and being home.  She had a servant’s heart and generously helped others any way she could.  She served and ministered in many ways through Northern Lakes Church (formerly Nevis Church of Christ). Doris had a passion for life and was a woman of action.  She enjoyed everything in nature, sewing, cross country skiing, rummage sales, painting, swimming, and dressing in costume and clowning around.  She liked to carve with a chain saw and baked bread to give away.  She published a biography of her cowboy artist grandfather.  Strong and independent, there was not any challenge she was not willing to face. 

Doris made friends everywhere; work, church, karaoke, the Osage Sportsman’s Club, and enjoyed traveling with her husband to out of state shoots. 

The family would like to thank the Park Rapids Hospice team for their support.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Northern Lakes Church.  Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. and the service will be 11:00, followed by a light meal.  The family will have a private inurnment later.   

Doris is survived by her husband Dan, daughters Laura (James) Pate, Christine (Kevin) Jessen, and Colleen (Steve) Guck, grandchildren Rebecca (Tom), Tyler (Nikki), Nick and Nate, great grandchildren Amelia, Marie and Leo, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eva Beck, brother Robert Thielbar, and his son Thomas.

Her smile will be missed.