Norma Catherine (Schoulte) Mitchell
Norma Catherine (Schoulte) Mitchell, 82, of Prairie du Chien, passed away on Friday, Oct. 16, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, due to complications of a stroke.
She was born on Sept. 22, 1933 in Farmersburg Township to Oliver and Lydia (Handke) Schoulte.
She grew up on the family farm near National and this is where she developed her life-long love of plants and birds.
Her basketball days were one of the happiest times in her life. She only began playing six on six basketball her freshman year as a 6’ 4” post for Monona High School. She still holds a 111 point scoring record in a single game. Receiving her All American trophy was another special moment of her basketball days.
In her early 20’s, she lost both her brother Ralph at age 16, and 3 months later, her sister Adele at age 19.
Later, while living in Davenport, Iowa, she came home from work one day to find her future husband sitting on her door step. He had heard about this tall girl and sought her out. She married Harry Donald Mitchell and they had three children. They started the family business, Mitchell’s Florist and Greenhouse, together in Elkader, Iowa. Harry was tragically taken from her in 1970, leaving her a widow at age 37.
Elkader was her home until she sold the business, after being there for 40 years. She then moved to the Diamond Joe building in McGregor and then later to Prairie du Chien.
She was one of those special people who had a wide knowledge base, especially about plants and gardening, and was always happy to share what she knew.
She is survived by her three children, Robin Benzer, Allen Mitchell and Karen Randall; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; her dog, Precious; extended family and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to a charity or memorial of the families choosing.
Celebration of Life services will be on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 5:30 p.m. prayer service at Norway Lutheran Church in St. Olaf, Iowa. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to: www.graufuneralhomes.com
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.
