John Mitchell

John Urban Mitchell, 90, died April 20, 2020 at the Marywood unit at Benediction Health

Center in Duluth, with his family by his side.

John was born October 23, 1929 to Isabelle (O'Grady) and James Chester Mitchell in Minneapolis. He graduated from Bethlehem Academy in Faribault MN. He attended the University of MN in Minneapolis, then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Counterintelligence Corps in Passau Germany in the early 1950s during the Cold War. Later he completed his law degree at William Mitchell College of Law and then began working at United States & Fidelity Guarantee (USF&G) in Minneapolis. He married Louise Bertram in 1958. The family moved to Duluth in 1963 where John became the company's Claims Manager for a 3- state territory. John and Louise raised five children. Louise died in 1985. John married Dorothy (Dotti) Rottier in 1999.

John was a devout Catholic, sharing his faith in many ways. He was a member of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, led the Rosary weekly, became an Oblate with the Benedictine Sisters at St. Scholastica Monastery, supported the Duluth Serra Ministry, and volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital as a Eucharistic Minister. He enjoyed playing the piano, traveling, hiking, and camping, hunting and fishing with his family.

John was highly respected as an insurance professional. He served on the State of Minnesota Workers' Compensation Insurers' Task Force for several years. He was honored to be chosen to participate in a select task force for USF&G, traveling the United States to develop best practices of service. John retired after 40 years with the company in 1997. He then worked independently as a Mediator.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brother James Jr., wife Louise, and cousin Mary Alice Riess. He is survived by wife Dotti, daughters Mechelle (Ken) Olsen, Cathleen (Jeff) Danielson, Colleen (Dan) Cavanaugh, sons Patrick (Christine) and Michael (Christine), 15 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and nieces and nephews.

A private celebration of life will be held at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Private graveside services and burial with full military honors will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

Memorials preferred to the Benedictine Sisters at St. Scholastic Monastery, 1001 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811. Special thanks to John's caregivers, the Spiritual Care Team at Benedictine Health System and St. Mary's Hospice Team for their many kindnesses.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 East 2nd Street, Duluth MN. 218-727-3555