Winston Havens Mitchell

LANDUSKY-Winston Havens Mitchell, 94, a WWII Army Air Corps Veteran, Rancher, and Farmer went to be with his heavenly father on May 29, 2017 at the Hi-Line Retirement Center, in Malta, Montana.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m., July 29, 2017, at the Landusky Community Center. Interment of his cremated remains will be in the Landusky Cemetery with military honors. Condolences for the family can be left atwww.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Winston was born August 11, 1922, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Vivian C. and Essie I. (Havens) Mitchell. He was raised on the ranch and educated in Landusky through the eighth grade, and then moved to Malta for his high school years, graduating in 1940. After high school, he worked on the family ranch. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on February 10, 1943, and served in Rhineland and Italy. He received the American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victor Medal and the EAME (European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign) Ribbon with three bronze service stars. After his discharge on December 13, 1945, he returned to the ranch near Landusky. He met the love of his life and married Lucille Florence LaBorn on April 23, 1949 in Malta at the Malta Lutheran Church. Winston was a member of the Malta Lutheran Church, Montana Stock Growers Association, Montana Historical Society, VFW and the National Cattleman's Association. Winston enjoyed writing poetry, building kids tractors, doing card tricks for the grandkids and friends, making wooden signs for family and friends, diamond willow canes, his many signature books and last but not least, he made his lamps for the Phillips County Hospital Foundation.

Winston is survived by his wife, Lucille Florence LaBorn Mitchell of Landusky; sons: Bill (Ruth) Mitchell of Landusky, Craig (Janice) Mitchell of Malta, Kevin (Michelle) Mitchell of Landusky, sisters: Kathryn "Sue" Mitchell Barrett, Faye (Ken) Mitchell Moss, sister-in-law: Betty LaBorn Mitchell; grandchildren: Robin (C.W) Kananen, Curt, Leslie, Erin (Rob) Skinner, Megan, Vanessa, Samantha, Katie and Kyle; great grandchildren: Chaz, Chad, & Jada Kananen, Mercedes, Madison, and Regan Skinner, Ben, Lucille and Norah Lambert, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian and Essie; Daughter, Valerie Anne Mitchell Matthews; Brother, Richard Mitchell; and Brother-in-law, Bob Barrett.