Donald Dean Mitts, 87, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023.
He was born May 14, 1935 in Clarence, Missouri, the youngest son of Frank Monloe Mitts and Eliza Jane (Wooden) Mitts.
Don grew up on the family farm outside Marshall, MO and attended High School in Marshall, after which he joined the Army. Don then returned to the Heartland and attended The University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business.
While at KU, Don met Brenda (Johnson) Mitts, who also attended Marshall High School a couple of years after Don, and they were married August 29,1959 in Atchison, Kansas. Don and Brenda were married for 62 years, and their love of watching and listening to KU basketball continued throughout their lives.
Don’s career was incredibly varied and began with Mobile Oil as a real estate analyst/manager, after which he started a mobile home sales business with his brothers Warren and Richard in Bonner Springs, KS. He then moved his family to Pratt, KS where he opened a successful manufactured home sales & development business. Next, he designed and built a hotel in western Pratt, which became an endeavor for the whole family. Don and Brenda then moved to Topeka, KS, where he worked as a nursing home administrator, and Don finished his working career as a credit counselor for many years before retiring.
Don was outgoing and enthusiastic, a respected businessman with a strong work ethic, an accomplished woodworker, an avid hunter, a competitive card player, and a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include his son, Doug (Susan) Mitts of Lenexa, KS; five grandchildren, Connor (Alleshia and great-grandson Colton) Mitts, Austin (Erika) Mitts, Madeline (Jacob) Muller-Ostmeyer, Logan Mitts and Kaylee Mitts; and son-in-law Royce Muller. He was preceded in death by his daughter LoriAnne (Mitts) Muller, wife Brenda Sue (Johnson) Mitts, his parents and siblings.
Honoring Don’s request, cremation is planned. A brief memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 at 4:00 at Porter Funeral Home (8535 Monrovia in Lenexa, KS 66215), with visitation afterward until 6pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mitts Family Foundation, 12609 West 75th Terrace, Lenexa, Kansas 66216 or www.mittsfamilyfoundation.com.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PorterFuneralHome.com.