Evelyn Lucille Mitchell

Evelyn Lucille Mitchell passed away at 91 years old, on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at her home in Sacramento, California, where she had babysat grandchildren and hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for her family for over 30 years. Evelyn's husband, Ralph Mitchell, died in 1989. From that time until 2014, Evelyn lived independently in her home and enjoyed good health until February 2014, she suffered a stroke and pneumonia, followed by hernia surgery and a fractured vertebrae treated with vertebroplasty.  She recovered fairly well, but lost mobility from the back injury, and the stroke had affected her short term memory. Her desire to remain in her home was possible with the aide of her loving family and caregivers. Evelyn continued to enjoy church and potlucks and family gatherings until the past couple months when her energy and health declined.  She is survived by her youngest brother, seven sons, and two daughters.  She was predeceased by her younger sister and three brothers, as well as two of her sons and one daughter.

Evelyn was born in Leeds, North Dakota on May 12, 1925. She graduated high school in Fergus Falls Minnesota in 1943, then moved to Chicago to work and attend college. She met Ralph at the Methodist church in downtown Chicago, and they were married in 1945. They were married for 44 years and had 12 children, 9 boys and 3 girls.  They worked together most of their married life in the family business, a radio and TV repair shop.  They ran shops together in San Fernando, San Jose, Thousand Oaks, California and Anchorage, Alaska. They lived in Alaska for 12 years. They lived in Thousand Oaks for 9 years; during that time, all but the three youngest children grew up and left home.  Evelyn taught Sunday School in Chicago and Thousand Oaks. In 1990 she joined the North Sacramento United Methodist Church and worked in the food closet at that location for 11 years. She was an avid reader and would read several books per week. 

Evelyn was kind and loving and liked to laugh.  She kept a clean house and enjoyed indoor plants and outdoor gardening and bird watching. She always loved children. She had over 50 grandchildren.  She baked lots of cookies, cakes and banana bread. She was a kind mother and good friend.  She remained cheerful her whole life, sometimes against all odds. She believed in the word of God. She was courageous and faithful. She will live forever in the love of all that were blessed to know her.

A Memorial Service will be Monday, December 19th at 10:00 a.m. at North Sacramento Funeral Home, 725 El Camino Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95815 followed by a graveside funeral at 2:30 at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620. Please share memories or pictures at www.northsacfuneral.com.

In times like these, people traditionally recommend a charity in lieu of flowers; Evelyn gave to many charities. Evelyn had two wonderful live-in care givers for the last year and a half: Tyler Maloney and Randy Husky. The recommendation is to contribute to a charity of your choosing in Evelyn's honor, or to Tyler Maloney to help Tyler and Randy get re-established, send checks to 2313 Mogan Ave. Sacramento, CA 95838. 

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