Dorothy Louise Mitchell

Dorothy Louise Mitchell was 85 years of age when she passed away on Thursday, August 17th, at Big Meadows Nursing Home. Her loss will be mourned by all the friends and family who knew her.

Dorothy was born on August 25, 1937, in Freeport, Illinois to Julian “Dick” and Mary (Weber) Dickinson. She was one of five children. Born during the depression, Dorothy’s father discovered the Savanna Army Depot was hiring, so he moved and raised his family in Sabula, Iowa. In 1955, she graduated from Sabula High School. Encouraged by two close friends to join them, she attended beauty school in Cedar Rapids.

She met her husband, Kenneth Mitchell, through her oldest sister, Joyce, who had recently wed Ken’s brother, Bob. At loose ends after leaving the Navy, Ken often came to visit. It wasn’t long before Joyce’s younger sister, Dorothy, caught his eye. Terribly shy, it took Ken a long time to work up the courage to ask Dorothy for a date, but on September 14, 1957, they were happily wed in the Sabula Methodist Church with over 100 guests in attendance.

After a short honeymoon in the Wisconsin Dells, the couple set up home in Savanna, and within two years, their only child, Robin, was born. A loving wife and mother, Dorothy did not seek work outside the home until her child was older, but when she did, she worked in a variety of occupations, including Dabron’s and Duncan’s clothing stores, the Savanna Hospital and Big Meadows Nursing Home, along with a variety of area factories.

Never one to be idle, Dorothy liked being active. Strong in her faith, she immediately joined the Savanna Methodist Church, and in later years, the Savanna Community United Church of Christ. In her spare time, her hobbies included entertaining family and friends, cooking, dancing, and playing cards. She especially enjoyed gardening, and spent many happy hours cultivating her beautiful flowers. Above all, she loved traveling. In her younger years, Ken and she visited Las Vegas, Canada, Florida, and Texas. Being a former Navy man, Ken especially enjoyed their two cruises. After Ken’s passing in 2005, Dorothy continued to travel, taking bus trips to Washington, D.C., Florida, and North Carolina, where she toured the Biltmore Estate.

During her lifetime, Dorothy touched many hearts and will be deeply missed by her daughter, Robin (Scott) Law of Savanna, granddaughter Carissa (Derek) Bradt of Elizabeth, four great-grandchildren, Devin, Megan, Trevor, and Emily. She leaves behind her brothers, John “Jack” Dickinson and Gene (Bunny) Dickinson, both of Sabula, and a brother-in-law, Dale Anderson of Clinton.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Ken, siblings, Joyce (Robert) Mitchell, younger sister Judy Anderson, and her sister-in-law, Irmgard Dickinson.

In gathering together to celebrate Dorothy’s life, we remember her laughter, her wisdom, her generosity of spirit, and the love that defined her journey. Dorothy will be laid to rest at 11 am on Tuesday, August 29th, 2023, at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, with Pastor Gary Panetta officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Her final resting place will be with her husband at the Savanna Township Cemetery.