Elizabeth Rose Mitchell

March 19, 1934-March 21, 2025

Elizabeth "Betty" Rose Mitchell (Nelke) passed away at the age of 91 on Friday, March 21, 2025 in Salem, Oregon.

Betty was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on March 19, 1934 to Nicholas and Agnes Nelke. The family moved to Stayton, Oregon in 1938 and then to Salem in 1940. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1952. On December 1, 1956, she married Richard C. Mitchell at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem and moved to Portland. There she became a homemaker where they raised a family of 5 children. In 1975, the family returned to Salem.

Betty went to work as an administrative assistant in 1977 for the State of Oregon, Department of Revenue. After a 15+ year career, she retired in 1993. Her involvement in her parish, St. Joseph, included participation in the church choir, bible study groups and weekly devotion in the adoration chapel.

Betty was an avid walker and loved going to the casino, beach and other trips with family. Her travels included Canada, Germany, Alaskan and Hawaiian cruises, and a trip to Pennsylvania to visit her best friend from high school. She especially enjoyed her coffee and crossword puzzles!

Survivors include her children, Lynn Richards of Milwaukie, Thomas Mitchell (Karen) of Washougal WA, James Mitchell (Bridget) of Salem, David Mitchell of Coquille, and Nancy Cunningham (Bill) of Sheridan; sister, Deanna Daschel (Nelke) of Portland; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her husband, Richard Mitchell; son, Joseph Mitchell; parents, Nicholas and Agnes Nelke.

Memorial Mass will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 11 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem, preceded by the rosary at 1:30 p.m. Private interment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Happy Valley.

Special thanks to the caregivers at Redwood Heights Assisted Living and the palliative and hospice care staff at Willamette Vital Health.