Susan Mitchell

Susan M. Mitchell, 88, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, August 13, 2018, at her home.

Susan Margaret was born on August 6, 1930, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of Walter Evert and Mary Jane (Baker) Garrison. She grew up and attended school at Central High in St. Joe.

Following school, she took a job at F.W. Woolworth in the floral department where she met her future husband, Frank Mitchell, who was also an employee there. A coworker named Mike, whom Frank was close to, teased him saying, “Look at her, she is so pretty, if you do not ask her out I will ask her out for you.” Finally, he did “ask her out,” and on March 14, 1947, they were united in marriage at the Atchison County Courthouse in Kansas. Following their wedding, they lived in Elwood, KS. In 1953, the family moved to Robinson, Kansas, and in 1957, to Kansas City, Kansas, where they lived for the next 18 years. While Frank worked as a teacher and part-time at Western Auto, Sue stayed home caring for the children and the home. In 1973, they made the decision to own their own business and purchased the Western Auto store in Atlantic, Iowa. The couple worked alongside each other from that day forward. Sue would attend Western Auto School, and knew her way around the store just as well as anyone else. Frank always was quick to say that Sue owned the place. In 2001, when Western Auto went out of business Sue and Frank made the decision to continue the part of the business on their own that had the most interest. The Bicycle Store has been a staple of the Atlantic community ever since. In recent years you may not have noticed Sue on the sales floor but she was there when needed and completed all the bookwork from home.

She had the gift to use her hands to not only embroider and be the family seamstress, but to also crochet hundreds of baby clothes through the years. This hard work turned into private orders and her sets being sold to Dillard’s. Over the years she tended her large fruitful garden and delighted in her flower gardens.

Sue’s attention was never far from what her children were doing; always involved in their various activities. Whether it was band, boy scouts or any other activity she was always there or making sure schedules were organized to have help shuffling kids here to there. The family enjoyed numerous vacations camping with family members.

Above all, Sue’s family was her #1 focus and joy. When daughter, Dianna moved into the care center, she started volunteering her time so that she could spend more time with her. One of the activities they enjoyed together was making pillowcase dresses for charity. She will be remembered for always being there and her willingness to help anyone. Her thoughtful gifts at holidays, birthdays and anniversaries will always be treasured. It wasn’t uncommon to receive silver dollars for the number of years you were celebrating, and usually a cake to go along with. Months of her hard work and preparation always produced a Christmas season to be remembered; from the large meal catered by the Downtowner, to the red velvet cake from scratch it was a truly special time for her and for her family.

Sue will be deeply missed by her husband of 71 years, Frank; children, Dianna Mitchell of Atlantic, Donald (Debora) Mitchell of Council Bluffs, Dennis (Jerilyn Main) Mitchell of Olathe, KS, Douglas Mitchell of Atlantic, and Danita (companion, Ivan Booher) Story of Lewis, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Bill Garrison, Paul (Mary) Garrison, Joe Garrison, Charlene (Bill) Keck, and Gloria Davenport; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Sonny and Charles Garrison; and sisters, Laverne Sully, Emma Stutes, Mary Wilson, and Clara Longwell.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 17, 2018, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Susan’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Susan “Sue” M. Mitchell

August 6, 1930 - St. Joseph, Missouri

ENTERED INTO REST
Monday, August 13, 2018 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of 88 years & 7 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018
First United Methodist Church - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Dean McPherson
First United Methodist Church - Atlantic, Iowa

Pastor Alice Purvis
First United Methodist Church - Fredonia, Kansas

RECORDED MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“There Will Be A Day” by Jeremy Camp
“How Great Thou Art” by Carrie Underwood
“Angels Among Us” by Alabama
“If You Knew Susie” by Dean Martin

SAND CEREMONY
Great-Grandchildren
Asura Sebol
Samantha Ambrose
Allison Ambrose
Raven Lovern
Miranda Lovern
Aurora Lovern
Sirenna Lovern
Mackenzie Mitchell
Draven Mitchell
Zac Mitchell
Ava Ann Borsh
Bentley Story

CASKET BEARERS
Grandsons & Great-Grandsons
Jeff Hackwell
Ryan Mitchell
Daniel Mitchell
Dillon Mitchell
Jeremy Story
Jesse Story
Sabien Ambrose
Tyler Mitchell
Alex Ambrose

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Granddaughters
Jenny Bossom
Darla Sebol
Megan Borsh
Denea Lovern
Danelle Mitchell

INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery
Atlantic, Iowa
“In the Garden” recorded by Anne Murray

Sue’s family invites friends & relatives to join them
for lunch in the fellowship hall following the committal service.

Thank you to granddaughter, Jenny Bossom, RN for all her loving care.