Roderick "Rod" Mitchell

Roderick “Rod” Allen Mitchell, age 72, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes.  A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 24, 2023, at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, with a visitation an hour prior. 

Rod was born on August 13, 1950, to Allen and Joyce (Larson) Mitchell in Benson, Minnesota.  He grew up in Benson MN and later moved to Long Prairie. He graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1968.  After graduation, he attended St. Cloud State College for a year before moving to Moorhead, where he attended Moorhead Vocational Technical School (MSTATE). Rod earned a degree in computer science.  He started his career at Norwest Bank in Fargo, which later became Wells Fargo, holding many different positions, and worked there until his retirement in 2012. He was a very dedicated employee, and was proud that he could make the daily drive from DL to Fargo regardless of winter weather.   In 1972, he married Nancy Halvorson and they have a daughter, Nicole.  Later, Rod met Carol Freitag and the two were married on April 15, 1983. They resided in Detroit Lakes until Rod’s death.

Rod was the happiest when he was busy with activities.  He was an avid sports fan who loved watching the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, and Golden Gophers.  He also enjoyed bowling and fishing.  He often made trips to the Lake of the Woods with his fishing buddies Jim and Brian.  Rod loved playing softball all his life, and in retirement he pitched for as many as five teams each summer and they won many championships.

Fabulous! That’s how Rod viewed every single day of his life.  He was known to always look for the positive in all situations. Family was very important to Rod, and always celebrated holidays with family, including many poker games. Six years ago, Rod received the great gift of becoming a grandfather to Sam.

Rod is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol; his daughter, Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury, MN; step-son Jonathan (Linda) Kuehl of Plymouth, MN; three sisters, Julie (Joe) Bradley of Leavenworth, KS; Nancy Lund of Moorhead, MN; and Cindy (Butch) Markey of Moorhead, MN; a brother, Gordy (Brenda) Mitchell of Moorhead, MN; one grandchild, Sam, and two foster grandchildren, Liam and Max; and many nieces and nephews; and cats Cleo and Leo. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Joyce; and a sister, Lauri Sandry.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF DETROIT LAKES & PERHAM - Welcome (bgcdl.org)

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch - North Dakota | Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch (dakotaranch.org)