Memorial Service
Elim Lutheran Church-
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Email Details
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3978 West Broadway
Robbinsdale, -
Visitation one hour prior to service at church.
Gary Bruce Mitchell
January 4, 1941 — September 18, 2021
Gary Bruce Mitchell
**A recording of Gary's service will be posted below shortly after the service has concluded**
Gary Bruce Mitchell was born January 4, 1941 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the third of four children. Gary lived in several locations during his childhood, from rural farms to homes in Minneapolis. Gary enjoyed the outdoors, and hunting, and fishing growing up. He also kindled his lifelong passion for reading during his younger years.
Gary graduated from Minneapolis Patrick Henry High School in 1959. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard following his high school graduation and served from 1959 to 1963. While in the service, Gary had assignments aboard the USCGC Woodrush, and at the Minneapolis Shoals lighthouse, and at the Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entry lighthouse. He was especially fond of his lighthouse time.
While at Henry high school, Gary met Mary Baruth, the two dated and continued seeing each other while Gary was stationed in Connecticut, Michigan, and Duluth Minnesota. In December 1961, Gary and Mary were married at Victory Lutheran Church in north Minneapolis. They began their 59 years of married life together at the Keweenaw lighthouse in the upper peninsula of Michigan. In December 1962, their son Michael was born in Hancock, Michigan near the lighthouse station.
Following honorable discharge from the Coast Guard in 1963, Gary and Mary moved back home to Minneapolis. Gary started his 32-year career with Northern States Power in 1963 at the Riverside Plant in northeast Minneapolis, the same plant that his maternal grandfather had worked at when Gary was a child. In 1965, Gary and Mary moved to Robbinsdale, and in January 1966 they welcomed daughter Suzanne to their family.
Family life was a priority for Gary. While supportive of the numerous organized activities and sports that his kids pursued, Gary made time with Mary, Mike, and Susie for family vacations, camping and canoe trips, fishing, and eventually time at the family cabin near Annandale, MN.
As a father, Gary instilled a strong work ethic in his children. Whether it was in chores around the house, playing sports, or in academics, Gary reinforced that if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right, and to the best of your ability. Gary emphasized the importance of academics, the value that could be found in reading, and he was always available to help with whatever his kids needed help with.
As a grandfather, and great-grandfather, Gary enjoyed time with the grandkids, supporting them in their activities, and continuing to pass along his legacy that he had started as a father.
Following retirement from Northern States Power in March 1996, Gary expanded his volunteer activities to include being a reading tutor, working at the NEAR food shelf, and helping with various activities at Elim Lutheran Church. Gary worked for several years cooking and otherwise supporting the Leisure Age program at Elim. The yearly homebound luncheon, and annual Christmas cookie bake, were activities that both Gary and Mary participated in. In more recent years, Gary passed along his passion for reading as a volunteer supporting several Little Libraries in the community.
Throughout his life, Gary’s faith in God was evident in love for church, family, friends, and co-workers. We thank God for giving him to us to know, and to love, as our companion in our pilgrimage on earth.
Gary passed away on September 18, 2021 at the age of 80, after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by daughter Suzanne in 1990. Gary was survived by wife, Mary; son, Mike (Corinne); grandchildren Joe (Amber), Krysta Vetsch (Brandon), David, Tom (Kayla); great-grandchildren Klaire, Brody, Cohen, Mason, Elyse, Weston, Emmalyn; sister-in-law Lois Hansen; nephew Matt Hansen (Michelle); sisters Pat, Judy Harn (Gary); brother Bob (Barbara); several nieces and nephews. Funeral service Friday Oct. 8 th , at 11 am at Elim Lutheran Church (3978 W Broadway, Robbinsdale). Visitation 1 hour prior to service at church. Interment Hillside Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Elim Lutheran Church where he was a member for more than 40 years, or to the NEAR food shelf.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Bruce Mitchell, please visit our flower store.
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