Dorothea Mae Holman Lewis Mitchell, 87, of Nyssa, a former Baker City resident, died April 25, 2005, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nyssa. Visitations will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Haren-Wood Funeral Chapel in Ontario. Visitations will continue at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Relief Society room at the church. Burial will be at the Hilltop Cemetery in Nyssa.
Dorothea was born on May 19, 1917, at Baker City to Harriett Odessa Carter and James Frederick Holman. She graduated from Baker High School and later married Lloyd Wells Lewis in the LDS Salt Lake Temple in 1937.
Dorothea and Lloyd had eight children, 51 grandchildren, 106 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and many more to come. Lloyd died in a tragic accident in 1961, leaving Dorothea with six of their young children remaining at home.
Notwithstanding her circumstances, Dorothea remained positive and pointed her family forward. She later married Tharvel “Tom” Mitchell with whom she enjoyed the last 43 years of her life.
Dorothea had a zest for life and a love for people. She loved to visit with friends and family. Her children were her pride and joy and they cherished her loving counsel and wisdom. Dorothea had a unique ability to relate to children.
She had a private kindergarten in Nyssa for 29 years, where she used music and a desire to build each child’s self-esteem to begin the educational experience of multiple generations of students.
She also taught piano for 30 years. Music was an important part of everything she did. She sang in trios, and accompanied many singing groups. She also led Stake Youth Choir and Ward choirs for many years.
Dorothea loved the Lord and taught her children and grandchildren to do so as well. She was the Nyssa LDS Stake Primary President for five years. In her later years, she and Tom served as tour guides at the Boise Temple. They also served an LDS mission at Charlotte, N.C.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd; her grandchildren, Kelly Lewis, Stephen Lewis and Aaron Lewis; a great-grandson, Keller Lewis; and her brothers, Carl Holman, Louie Holman, Bob Holman, Sonny Holman and David Holman.
Survivors include her husband, Tharvel “Tom” Mitchell; her children, Janice and Don Bowers, Douglas and Delores Lewis, Richard and Carol Lewis, Virginia and Bill Mannewitz, Marilyn and Kal Farr, Craig and Harriett Lewis, Roderick and Charlotte Lewis and Lori and Jim Nelson; stepchildren, Karen and Dwight Cluff, Ron and Linda Mitchell, Tony and Sandy Mitchell, Cheryl and Bob Weaver, and Steve and Michelle Mitchell; her sister, Marie Wilson; and brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Lois Holman.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 29, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor