Rita Wallenius Mitchell

Rita Wallenius Mitchell passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the age of 95. Born in Chicago, Illinois on March 12, 1930, Rita is survived by her daughter Tracy Louise Mitchell-Bjorkman (husband Klas Bjorkman) of Stockholm Sweden; sons William T. Mitchell III and Eric Carl Mitchell (wife Cindy Bordelon Mitchell) of Metairie; grandchildren Kaisa Pearl Bjorkman of London, England and Bo William Bjorkman of Stockholm, Sweden; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Elizabeth Wallenius; her husband of 60 years, Dr. William T. Mitchell, Jr.; and her twin brothers Rodney and Ronald Wallenius.

During the Korean War, Rita joined the Department of Army Civilians and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan as a medical secretary. It was in Tokyo where she met her husband, Dr. Mitchell, who was stationed there as a medical officer in the Army. Shortly after returning to the United States they were married in Chicago, Illinois on January 11, 1958. After they married, Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell moved to New Orleans where Dr. Mitchell completed his residency at Tulane Medical School and Ochsner Foundation Hospital. In 1978, Rita earned her Residential Real Estate License and worked as a residential real estate agent for several local agencies until her retirement in 2010.

Rita enjoyed solitaire, reading, traveling, cooking and spending time with her family and friends in person and through social media. She was a wonderful and beloved wife, mother and grandmother with many friends throughout her life and she will be dearly missed. The family would like to send their deepest appreciation to the care givers of The Fidelis Group and Serenity Hospice Services for all their love and support.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Lake Lawn Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, August 23, beginning at 11:00 AM and a memorial service to follow at 1:00 PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rita’s memory to Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation or Alzheimer’s Research.

To view and sign the family guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.