Zona Barbara Mitchell

Family and friends mourn the loss of Zona Barbara Mitchell who passed away March 10, 2013 in Lewistown, Montana. She enjoyed a long and happy life that began on January 19, 1927 in Seattle, Washington. She and her family moved to Livingston, Montana where she grew up. Selected as the Livingston Trout Derby Queen in 1946, she graduated from Park County High School in 1947. Moving to Bozeman, Montana in August 1948 she met and married Kenneth E. Mitchell who worked for Montana Power. In a letter about his life, Kenny wrote of Zona: “she bore me three fine sons.” In 1958 they moved to Belgrade, built their home and raised their children. To help pay the bills, Zona drove to Bozeman, first to work in the Student Union at Montana State College, now MSU, and then as the bookkeeper for the state liquor store in Bozeman until her retirement in March 1985. Upon retirement Zona and Kenny, with a new RV, went on the road to see old friends and relatives. After that, they bought a winter home in Mesa, AZ. They enjoyed a fine life together until Kenny’s passing in 1997. She continued to travel and enjoy life with her family. One of her favorite trips was to Muirkirk, Scotland, her Mother’s birth place, to visit Scottish relatives she had never met. Zona’s wish to her sons was to stay in her home as long as she could because it was filled with warm memories of a rewarding and satisfying life she had shared with her husband, her sons, family and friends. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side shortly after moving to Lewistown. Zona was an active member of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. She attended the Methodist Church in Bozeman after Kenny’s passing with her good friend Roy Cattrell. She was also a proud member of “Broken Hearts,” a club for heart attack survivors. As one close friend said of Zona, “she enjoyed life and made life enjoyable.” In addition to her parents, Francis and Barbara Goodson, Zona was preceded in death by her husband, son Dennis in 2005, and her brother James Russell in 1995. Zona is survived by sons: Terry L. (Livia) Mitchell of South Riding, VA, and James D. (Linda) Mitchell of Lewistown, MT; four grandchildren: Jeannie Mitchell of VA, and Cory (Christa) Mitchell of MN, Chad and Melissa Mitchell of MT; a brother, Dale (Bette) Goodson of Valrico, FL; a cousin from her mother’s family: Blyth A. (Nora) Mitchell of Cumnock, Scotland, and many close friends who, with her sons, will miss her caring and continued encouragement, her love of life, and her smile. Zona’s Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m., May 18th, at the Dahl Chapel, 300 Highland Blvd., Bozeman, MT. Inurnment will be with Kenny Mitchell in Sunset Hills Cemetery, Bozeman, MT.