Mike Mitchell, 70 of Pella passed away Sunday afternoon, November 12, 2023 at Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Friday, November 17, 2023 at the New Sharon New Life Fellowship Church. Burial will be held in the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm Thursday, November 16, 2023 at the New Life Fellowship Church with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North Mahaska Athletic Boosters, North Mahaska FFA or Prairie Knolls Country Club. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.

Michael Leroy Mitchell, the son of Leon and Mary (Coffey) Mitchell, was born on August 19, 1953 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1971 where he participated in Basketball, Football, and FFA. Following high school, Mike attended Northeast Missouri State for a short time before returning home to the family farm. On September 22, 1972, Mike was united in marriage to Barbara Snodgrass at the Sully Community Church. To this union four children were born, Wendi, Alison, Michael, and Ashley.  For 10+ years, Mike & Barb farmed & worked side jobs to provide for their growing family.  Mike continued to farm while taking on a night shift job at Pella Corp.   Deciding to leave farming behind during the 80's, Mike worked his way up through the company to a supervisor then finally to the Human Resource Department before moving his family to Olathe, Kansas where he was the HR manager for AFG Industries. In 1997, they relocated to Hampton, Iowa where he was business manager for GL Coatings. After 20+ years in the glass industry he decided to return to his agriculture roots.  Working various roles in HR & recruiting for Growmark, retiring in 2019. Throughout his career, his wife, Barb, was by his side having a role behind the scenes giving Mike direction or advice so he could be successful.

Mike was an innovator, problem solver, and a wealth of knowledge on a variety of things.  Always learning about new technology and how it can help make him successful in whatever he is doing. He loved fishing, hunting, watching sporting events, coaching, and was proud of his family. He loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events and other activities they were involved in. In his younger years, he was New Sharon Little League President and after retiring he served as President of the North Mahaska Athletic Booster Club.  A member of Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited.  Also, achieving various certifications within the HR industry including SHRM-CP, PHR.

His memory will be cherished by his wife, Barb Mitchell of Pella; four children, Wendi (Brandon) Smith of New Sharon, Alison (Brent) Kramer of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Kelly) Mitchell of New Sharon and Ashley (Jacob Jackson) Mueller of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren, Hayley Pinkerton, Nash Smith, Kincaid Mitchell, Sawyer Mitchell, Trey Mitchell, Syler Mitchell, Shelby (Chris Kubli) McGriff, Chelsey (Clayton Wagler) McGriff, Braxton Murphy, Victoria Murphy and Vanessa Murphy; one great grandson, Cooper Wagler with one on the way; one brother, Tom (Peggy) Mitchell of Gainesville, FL; one sister, Brenda (Charlie) Sparks of New Sharon along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Mary Mitchell; a son-in-law, SFC Ryan Mueller and a nephew, Travis Mitchell.