Marie Kathryn Mitchell

Published 12:19 am Wednesday, June 15, 2016

January 3, 1912 – June 4, 2016

Marie Kathryn Mitchell of Bend, Oregon, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2016 at her home with her family by her side. She was 104.

A public viewing will take place Friday, June 17, 2016 at 5:00 PM-7:00 PM at Deschutes Memorial Chapel and Gardens, located at 63875 N. Hwy 97 in Bend, Oregon. A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Deschutes Memorial Gardens, immediately followed by a Memorial Service at 11:30 AM at the Bend Church of the Nazarene, located at 270 NE 27th Street in Bend, OR.

Marie was born January 3, 1912 in her family home in Chillicothe, Missouri, One of six children to George and Margaret (Hargrave) Grouse. In 1931 she married Archie Chris Zullig also of Chillicothe, and together had one daughter, Rose Marie. After Archie’s untimely death, Marie and Rose Marie moved from the family farm into town, where Marie worked as a waitress. She met Harold C. Mitchell also from Missouri and followed him to Oregon and on March 9, 1946, they were married in Salem, Oregon. From this union came a son, Harold Ray and a daughter, Sherrie. They moved to Bend in 1954 when the population was only 7,000 and bought their home in 1977, where she lived until she passed away.

Marie loved to garden and grow flowers. She also enjoyed baking and did so well into her late 90’s, becoming famous for her lemon meringue pie. Marie loved to tell stories of her childhood, which included climbing trees to eat cherries and laughing about her dad flipping the sleigh in the snow on their way to town. She, along with Harold, was an active member of the Bend Church of the Nazarene and an integral part of building the new church building on 27th Street.

Marie experienced many amazing things in her lifetime, from her birth in a little farmhouse, before the inventions of indoor plumbing, and electricity. She lived through the loss of the Titanic, the Great Depression, Prohibition, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and post 9/11.

For Marie’s 100th birthday her family threw a surprise party at The Village Green in Cottage Grove, OR with over 50 immediate family members in attendance. She received official letters of congratulations from her Oregon Congressman, President Obama, and the first lady.

Marie was a constant example of dignity and grace. She has left her family with the legacy of her undying faithfulness to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her unconditional love for her family.

Marie is survived by her daughters, Rose Marie White of Cottage Grove, OR and Sherrie (husband Roger) Everett of Milton-Freewater, OR; 14 grandchildren, David and Merlyn White, Greg and Shari White, Bill and Kathy Sabin, Yvonne and John Susac, Yvette and Chris Hayes, Noel Everett, Christina Murray, and Zach and Robin Everett. Other survivors include 17 great grandchildren, Lawson Everett, Lilly Susac, Matt and Ladelle White, Jason and Heather White, Jacob White, Angie Sabin, Amy and Casey Logan, Michelle Sabin, Marissa Hinds, Stacy and Shaun Sammis, Joshua White, and Aaron and Brianna White and 14 great-great grandchildren Megan and Maddy White, Colton White, Katelynn and Emma Sammis, Micah, Finn and Matais Logan, Anthony Sabin, and Shyann, Jared and Martha Hinds, and Adaline White; and numerous nieces and nephews. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, four older brothers, her sister, husbands, Archie Zullig and Harold C. Mitchell; and her son, Harold Ray Mitchell.

Memorial contributions in Marie’s memory can be made to Hospice or the Bend Church of the Nazarene. Deschutes Memorial Chapel and Gardens is honored to care for the family, (541) 382-5592. Please visit our online register book at deschutesmemorialchapel.com.