Julia Ann Mitchell

Julia Ann Mitchell

July 4, 1942 – Dec. 18, 2021

Julia Ann Mitchell passed away peacefully on December 18, 2021, in her home surrounded by family. Julia was born July 4, 1942, to Frank and Elma Mickelson in Lovell, where she enjoyed spending time with her family and working on her family farm. 

She graduated from Lovell High School in 1960 and went on to the University of Wyoming to become a teacher. During her college years she loved to spend time socializing and being a part of her sorority.

After graduating, Julia returned to Lovell and taught kindergarten. She loved her students and talked about them frequently. 

After being set up on a blind date, she met her eternal companion, Jerry Mitchell, and shortly thereafter was sealed for time and all eternity in the Provo Utah Temple. Julia and Jerry moved to Gillette, where Jerry worked in the coal mines. The couple went on to have four children, Oliver, Ben, Sarah and Jessica. Julia stayed home to raise her children, and when they were old enough, she returned to teaching and touched the lives of many children.

She taught every grade from kindergarten to sixth grade, special education and Title One. She eventually returned to the Basin, where she continued teaching in Burlington until her retirement. After Jerry passed away in 2009 Julia returned to Lovell.

Julia loved family history and working in the temple. She was passionate about teaching children to read and was often found with a child on her lap with a book in hand. She was a champion for the underdog and would give the shirt off her back to those in need. She was a fantastic storyteller, and many of her children’s greatest life lessons were taught on long drives while she had a captive audience. Julia loved being around family and friends, playing the organ in her ward and being a part of her grandchildren’s lives. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Sydney Beal, brother Wendell Mickelson, sister Frankalene Mickelson and husband Jerry Mitchell. 

She is survived by her children, Oliver (Jane) Mitchell, Ben (Michele) Mitchell, Sarah (Kasey) Call and Jessica (Jordan) Barr; siblings Barbara (Tim) Austin, Dee (Marge) Mickelson, Ted (Nancy) Mickelson and Leon (Janet) Mickelson; and 10 grandchildren, Bailey (Mike) Yarger, Lauren and Emma Mitchell, Kayla and Grayson Mitchell, Talmage, McKay and Benson Call and Virginia and Rowan Barr.

There will be a viewing Monday, Dec. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Haskell Funeral Home. Her funeral will take place December 28 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Lovell. A graveside ceremony will be held at the Burlington Cemetery at 1 p.m.