Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

Kathleen Mitchell, 90, a long-time Baker City resident died Sunday, December 27, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center – Ontario, Oregon. Recitation of the Rosary will be said Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM in St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 15, 2021, at 1:00 PM at the Cathedral. Rev. Suresh Kumar Telagani will celebrate the Mass. Face masks and social distancing is requested. The service can be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT0gtOg_f7HWOs8sIL9gCUw or by going to saintfranciscathedral.com and clicking on Fr. Telagani Masses. Interment will follow the service at the Haines Cemetery in Haines, Oregon.

Kathleen Joan was born to Chester and Juanita Holbrook on February 10th, 1930, in Colfax, Washington. She grew up on the family farm with three sisters and two brothers. She attended school at St. Johns in Colfax and attended Marycliff in Spokane. She married Everett Green in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and together they raised six daughters. Kathleen was a devoted homemaker and focused on raising her girls. She spent her time gardening, sewing, and baking. Kathleen and Everett moved several times for his work, including Silver Lake, Oregon, before settling in Baker City in 1966 and making a home. Kathleen was active in her church, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, with the Altar Society and the St. Francis Choir as well as teaching Sunday school and vacation bible studies. She was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary.

After her girls were older, she became a certified Nurse’s Aide and certified Medication Aide. She worked at St. Elizabeth’s Nursing Home for over 15 years. She loved her work and her residents. After retiring from St. Elizabeth’s, she worked for Jim and Donita Culbertson in their adult foster home. She spent her spare time in the garden as well as pursuing her passion for playing the piano. She also discovered a talent for flowers, she would craft beautiful bouquets for countless weddings. She was a devoted grandmother as well, eventually welcoming 17 grandchildren.

Kathleen retired after Everett’s death in 1991. Kathleen married Carroll Mitchell II on April 29th, 1995. She continued to devote her time to St. Francis de Sales parish activities. She also delighted in collecting rosaries and dolls, seeking out unusual and beautiful pieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Juanita, an infant brother David Holbrook, her sisters Sheila Holbrook and Cynthia Hughes, as well as her husband Everett and an infant granddaughter, Alethea.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Carroll; sister Penny (Russ) Gay, brothers Patrick Holbrook and Greg (Ann) Holbrook. She leaves behind her daughters, Sharon (Wayne) Flynn, Rebecca (Hank) Pasco, Joyce (Tony) Wroe, Theda Huels, Annette (James) Grover and Sarah (Brad) Beavers. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and their spouses, 32 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and numerous, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions in memory of Kathleen may direct them to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to St. Francis de Sales Cathedral. This may be done through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814

If one wishes to light a candle in memory of Kathleen, please visit http://www.colestributecenter.com.