Dordeen Verle Mitzel

Dordeen Mitzel

Dordeen Verle Mitzel went home to Heaven on Monday, May 2, 2016.  Dordeen was born the third of four children to Alvin Christian and Lula Belle (Cox) Hansen in Faulkton, South Dakota on October 23, 1928.  When she was 6, her family came west to farm in Whistran, Washington. Then in 1942 they moved to a farm near Sunnyside, Washington. She graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1947 and married her high school sweetheart, Rinehart Mitzel, on August 5, 1949. They moved to Renton, Washington in 1952 where they raised their family, worked, and retired.  In the 1970s, Dordeen enjoyed working at Frederick & Nelson in the giftwrap department.  Over the years Dordeen spent many happy hours RV camping, crocheting, sewing, visiting the ocean, and trying new recipes.

Dordeen’s passion was her family and home. With the birth of her two granddaughters, Dordeen took on the new role of “Grandma D” with much love and joy.  She enjoyed spending time with the girls, camping, listening to their young adventures, baking, crocheting, and playing board games and miniature golf with them.  She also had the special experience of each of the girls staying with her and Rinehart while they worked in the Renton area. She will be remembered for her loving and compassionate heart.

Dordeen is survived by her husband of 66 years, Rinehart Mitzel, daughter Debra (George) Spencer, granddaughter Kathleen Spencer, and granddaughter Natalie (Loren) Gogins.

She was preceded in death by her son, Rinehart Mitzel Jr. at 12 years old, her parents, her brothers Al Hansen and Marlin Hansen, her sister Shirley Smith, and several sister- and brother-in-laws.

Graveside services were held at Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac, WA on May 13, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.