Ella Marie Mitchell

Ella Marie Hahn Mitchell, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2012. Marie was born August 10, 1921 in Hartford, Kansas where she enjoyed riding in a horse and carriage with her father, who worked for a rural post office, delivering mail, groceries and presents to the local farmers. At age 7, she moved to Columbus, Nebraska after her father died. Shortly afterwards, her mother bought a gold mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, where they lived for a year until relocating to Colorado Springs. She moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to live with her older brother, Lou Roy Hahn, and his wife Dorothy. She graduated from West High School and married her high school sweetheart, Charles E. Mitchell, on August 29, 1941. He taught her how to drive and they enjoyed canoeing together on the areas many lakes. While her husband was away during WWII, she took flying lessons in Brownwood, Texas, learning to ferry planes for the war effort. Marie worked for the Federal Reserve Bank, Southern Pacific Railroad, Coors Porcelain Division, and the Denver Public Schools for 25 years. Her interests included gold mining and its history, geology, nature, The Rocky Mountains, music and travel. As a little girl in Cripple Creek, she loved to climb in the mountains and often would return to town with a wild donkey that was once used to work in gold mines. She loved being with her friends from The Denver Public Schools, her Aerobics Class that she attended since 1986 and her ""Women's Night Out Group"". Marie's best time in her life was raising her children, especially during the early years while they were changing into adults with all their plans and interests. Her favorite saying was ""To follow the golden rule."" She had an old fashioned upbringing and the person who influenced her the most in her life was her older brother by 12 years, Lou Roy ""Pete"", who was like a father and a brother. Her most important advice was to get a good education, set goals, have something to aim for and enjoy it. She was preceded in death by her son, Mark David Mitchell, and husband, Charles E. Mitchell. She is survived by her son Dr. Robert B. Mitchell, daughter-in-law, Dr. Honor Franklin of Dallas, Texas, daughter Barbara Jill Mitchell Berggren and son-in-law Mark Berggren of Golden, Colorado, three grandchildren, Hahn and Sullivan Franklin-Mitchell and Perris Mitchell Berggren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Mount Vernon Country Club, by invitation only. A Private Committal Service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Wounded Warriors Project, The Front Range Equine Rescue and The National Wildlife Federation. Please share your memories of Ella and condolences with her famiy by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" link.