Elmer B. Mitchell

PORTAGE – Elmer B. Mitchell, age 86, of Portage, passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at Agrace Hospice in Madison.

Elmer was born on March 22, 1926, in Cazenovia, the son of Joe and Agnes (Jasper) Mitchell. He was married to LuAnn Barbour on August 13, 1960.  Elmer graduated from Cazenovia High School, and continued to Sauk County Normal and the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse.  He earned his Master’s Degree at Winona State University and continued to pursue his Doctorate at North Dakota State University.  He started teaching in a one room school house and ended his career as an administrator in the Portage Community School District. He was a 51 year member of the Portage Kiwanis Club, St. Mary Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Columbia County Fair Board.

He is survived by his wife, LuAnn, Portage; his daughters, Julie (Bob) Quartucci, Delavan, and Jean Mitchell (Jonathan) Fimreite; four grandchildren, Becca Quartucci, Morgan Mitchell Fimreite, Anna Quartucci and Mitchell Fimreite; his sister, Hilda Haessly, Amarillo, TX;  other near relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Rynold and twin brother, Emil, and two sisters, Leona Mitchell and Mayme Harrison.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9, 2012, at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice for their comfort and support.

Elmer was a loving and supportive husband, father, and friend, and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established by the family.