Linda Darlene Mitchell
  • Born on: January 31, 1944
  • Departed on: May 30, 2024
  • Resided in: Columbus Junction, IA

Linda Darlene Mitchell

Linda Darlene Mitchell, 80, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, died on Thursday, May 30, 2024, peacefully in her home surrounded by her family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Calvary Church located at 501 US-61 Ste 16, Muscatine, Iowa with a luncheon to follow. A private family burial service of Linda’s cremains will be held at a later date at the Columbus City Cemetery. 

Linda was born on January 31, 1944, to Arthur Francis and Hazel Marie (Blanchard) Stalkfleet. She married Donald Eugene Pretz on December 15, 1963, and later divorced; from this marriage, they had two children, Tamara Lyn and Michael John. On May 22, 1992, Linda married Daryl Lee Mitchell and welcomed his two children and their families into her life.

Linda graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1962 and later attended Muscatine Community College and The University of Iowa. She was employed as a legal secretary at Russell Newell Law Office in Columbus Junction for 12 years. Linda was an employee of Kent Feeds, Inc. in Muscatine for 23 years. A few years after retiring from the Kent Feeds nutrition department, she worked at Calvary Church for several years. Linda moved back to Columbus Junction, after living in Muscatine for over 40 years, to be closer to her family. While in Columbus Junction for the past three years, she renewed old friendships, made many new friends, and was actively involved in several coffee clubs and card groups.  

She enjoyed walking five miles a day until her recent illness, reading, camping, traveling in the United States and around the world, flower gardening and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Linda was actively involved in several community and philanthropic organizations including Calvary Church, The American Cancer Board (10 years), Toastmasters (23 years) where she was a local, area, district, and state officer, Sister Cities International, and most recently the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Lion’s Club and Iowa American Legion Auxiliary. 

She is survived and deeply missed by her daughter Tamara Pretz and her husband Kevin Mitrisin of Ames, Iowa, Michael Pretz and his wife Dayle of Columbus Junction, Iowa; four grandchildren Zoe Mitrisin, Megan Pretz-Zuck (Brady), Kelsey Pretz-Boysen (Kale) and Tommy Pretz; two great-grandchildren, Stetson Boysen and Lorelei Zuck; two step-children Randy Mitchell (Maria) and Penny Morter (Sam); three step-grandchildren Moriah Kincaid (Greyson), Shiloh Morter and Araunah Morter; siblings Pat Messner (Wayne), Frank “Skip”  Stalkfleet (Angie), Fonda Velez (Leon), Jerry Stalkfleet, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Linda was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, and her brother Donald Stalkfleet. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Linda’s honor may be made to Hospice of Washington County Iowa, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Calvary Church.  
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