Francis R. Mitchell

Francis R. “Frank” Mitchell, 78, of Blair, Nebraska and formerly of Custer, South Dakota, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at Crowell Memorial Home in Blair. Frank was born September 5, 1931 to Francis and Helen Mitchell in New Haven, Connecticut. He served in the Korean War before attending Connecticut State Teachers College. After graduating, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began his career in education. He became enamored with the Black Hills while working as a seasonal park ranger at Mt. Rushmore, and in 1984 made the Black Hills his permanent home. Frank lived in Custer until 2006 when his failing health necessitated his living with his daughter in Nebraska. Frank enjoyed opera, raising collies, and spending time in various national parks. He was active in the Rapid City Kennel Club before his health failed. Survivors include a son, Christopher Mitchell, Oregon; three daughters, Martha Mays, Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, Marilyn Tisdale, Houston, Texas and Sara Mitchell, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; six grandchildren; a sister, Sue Wall, East Haven, Connecticut; and a brother, John P. Mitchell, Anchorage, Alaska. He was preceded in death by two wives, Patricia Mitchell and Kyung-Mi Mitchell; and a daughter, Lucy Mitchell.