MITCHELL, Nolan Kay - b. March 31, 1936 - d. July 22, 2023

[patyrn]

Nolan Kay Mitchell, age 87, of Howard, Kansas, passed away July 22, 2023 at his home.  He was born March 31, 1936 in Severy, Kansas to James and Margie (Campbell) Mitchell.

Nolan grew up with one brother and attended Howard High School, graduating in the Class of 1954.  On June 12, 1955, he married Katherine Van Buskirk in Howard, Kansas.  They raised their four children together and were married 63 years until her passing in 2018.  As a family they enjoyed water skiing, July 4th fireworks, and ice cream socials together.  Nolan and Katherine were entrepreneurs, and over the years, they owned many different businesses together in Severy, Moline, and Howard.

In late 2019, Nolan met Dian Sabin.  They quickly fell for each other, and on March 19, 2020 they became husband and wife.  With this marriage, they each gained far more than each other.  They gained each others' entire family and have fully enjoyed the last three years together.

Even though Nolan was retired, he hadn't slowed down much.  He enjoyed taking care of the cementer in Howard until just a couple of years ago and putting funeral notices out because it gave him a chance to talk to everyone he would run into.  He was still, even this year, growing vegetables in his garden, especially tomatoes.  He was a devoted, faithful member of the Howard Independent Baptist Church and a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and friend to many. 

Nolan is survived by his wife, Dian of the home; his children, Kathy (Kent) Allison of Coffeyville, Kansas, Ken (Mary) Mitchell of Howard, Kansas, and Kevin (Melinda) Mitchell of Howard, Kansas; his daughter-in-law, Julie Mitchell of Emporia, Kansas; Delbert (Betty) Shirley of Ponca City, Oklahoma,  and Rebecca (Bill) Reyes of Howard, Kansas; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and his brother, Ray Mitchell of Independence, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katherine; his son, Kurtis; one granddaughter; and three great-granddaughters.

The family will greet friends at visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2022 at Countryside Funeral Home with interment to follow in Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Howard Independent Baptist Church and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)