Donald Dean Mitts, Age: 87
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May 14, 1935---Jan 14, 2023

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.


Condolences

Joshua Jan 15, 2023

Friend ,Lenexa ,Kansas

My sincere condolences from my family to yours.

Kyle Unruh Jan 15, 2023

Friend ,Buhler ,Kansas

Sorry about your loss - prayers for you and your family.

Annehara Tatschl Jan 15, 2023

Friend of family ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Dear Doug, Susan, & family- Your father’s life chapters sound like the adventures of a wonderful man. I am so sorry for your loss.

Melanie Stattelman Jan 15, 2023

Friend ,Shawnee ,Kansas

Doug and Susan. So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Sounds like he was a kind and energetic man who loved life. Hoping the wonderful memories you have with him will bring you and your family comfort in the weeks ahead. Melanie and Steve Stattelman

Sarah Armour Jan 15, 2023

Friend from Special Olympics ,Shawnee ,Kansas

I am sorry to hear of your loss of your dad. He sounds like a good man with a lot of energy and creativity! May you have a time of remembering and celebration for you and family and know God’s loving presence during this time! We think of you and Sue from your Special Olympics days! Blessings! Sarah Armour

tami rose Jan 15, 2023

friend ,Surprise ,Arizona

My sincere condolences to the family. My prayers are with you during this time. tami rose

John & Judy Murphy Jan 15, 2023

Friend ,Lenexa ,Kansas

Sorry for your huge loss, Doug. Prayers to you and your family.

John and Julie Ford and Family Jan 16, 2023

NEIGHBORS ,Topeka ,Kansas

We loved having Don and Brenda as our neighbors in Topeka. We enjoyed visiting over the fence, working on common projects and KU basketball. He was a smart guy and had interesting stories. He was good to our children and grandkids. RiP friend.

Nancy Ligon Jan 18, 2023

Friend ,Merriam ,Kansas

I am so sorry for your loss. Although I only met your dad a couple of times years ago, it was easy to see who had instilled the values that would make you the man you are. Peace to your dad and love to you and Susan.

Kevin Mitts Jan 18, 2023

I'll never forget the first time I met Don. I was at the Topeka open-air market on a warm, sunny Saturday and came across these beautiful adirondack chairs and decided to buy two of them for my new home. I asked the seller what his name was and, of course, Don Mitts was the answer. I told him my name was Kevin Mitts and we had a laugh about that. There are many Mitts out there that are not related to me. But, then I asked where he was born and he was born in the same county in Missouri that my father was born. Come to find out, we were 2nd cousins! We became good friends. I'd go over and watch KU games with Don and Brenda and even sat in with the whole family for a Thanksgiving dinner (I think). Once, Don brought out many old photos of family, some of which were my grandparents, great-grandparents and beyond. What a magical time. Don was a singular person, very intelligent and loved to laugh. And, I loved his laugh. We saw less of each other as our health deteriorated but every time I saw him was a treat. I'm sure Don is somewhere watching KU games and asking Brenda why she kept bothering him so much. And, making furniture for everyone.

Karen Knight Kreisel Jan 18, 2023

Classmate ,Marshall ,Missouri

I am so sorry for your loss. Don was a great classmate and fun to be around.

Richard Pemberton Jan 18, 2023

Highschool classmate ,Marshall ,Missouri

A great guy. Fun to be with. I will miss seeing him at class reunions.

Stacie Green Jan 20, 2023

Friend of Doug Mitts ,Peculiar ,Missouri

Condolences to you and your family during this time. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. May God bring you comfort in knowing that.

Rhonda Lindgren Jan 20, 2023

Niece ,Slater ,Missouri

So sorry to hear of Uncle Don’s passing. While living in Topeka loved going over to visit. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Pam Nemechek Jan 24, 2023

Niece ,Quinter ,Kansas

I loved how my daddy and his two brothers, Uncle Donald and Uncle Richard, shared so many mannerisms. They had the greatest laughs and beautiful smiles. I see these traits in you, Doug. ?? Love and prayers to your family.

Craig and Barbara Mitts Jan 25, 2023

Nephew ,Seminole ,Florida

Barbara and I share your sorrow for the loss of your Dad, the Patriarch of your family and the last of his siblings and his generation. Uncle Don was a gift from God - a beacon of light - to those who knew him. He was a hard working man of integrity who loved his family - and who smiled and laughed easy and often. Though he will be deeply missed, we look forward, with joy and certainty, to that grand reunion, when we will all be together, again, with Jesus, for eternity.

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Services

Event:
Memorial Service
Location:
Porter Funeral Home
Address:
8535 Monrovia Street
City:
Lenexa
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66215
Date:
Jan 25, 2023
Time:
4:00 PM
Google Map:
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