Evelyn Louise (Hardin) Mitchell, 88, of Hays, Kansas and formerly of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Via Christi Village in Hays.
Evelyn was born March 11, 1934 in Albany, Missouri, the daughter of Walter and Grace (McMichael) Hardin. She grew up in Albany and graduated from Albany High School in 1952. Evelyn met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to James Dale “JD” Mitchell on November 22, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri. This union was blessed with five children; Rose, Lonnie, Debra, Kathy and Jim. They made their home in Council Grove, Kansas before moving to Ellsworth, Kansas. Then in 1960 they moved to Russell. JD preceded her in death on September 4, 1988. Later she met Kenneth McMichael and was close companions for over 20 years.
Evelyn was a devoted wife and homemaker for her family. She obtained her certification as a Certified Nurses Aid and worked at Gatewood in Russell. She also worked over 20 years with Russell Regional Hospital as a nursing aid. She was a member of the Russell V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary. She was known for her cooking especially fried chicken, and would expect everyone that visited to eat. She enjoyed reading books and spending time with her family and friends.
Evelyn’s surviving family include her daughters, Rose Dugan (Don) of Leonardville, Kansas, Debra Dronberger (Keith) of Lima, Ohio and Kathy Moser (Michael) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; sons, Lonnie Mitchell (Michele) of Russell, Kanas and Jim Mitchell (Tammy) of Russell, Kansas; sister, Anna Mae of Grand City, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband JD, and brother Jerry Hardin.
Celebration of Evelyn’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with Via Christi Village or the Russell Public Library. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.