E. DONN MITCHELL E.

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E. DONN MITCHELL E. Donn Mitchell of Douglas, beloved husband of Sylvia, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, October 29, 2000. Donn was born at his parents home on November 12, 1926. He took his schooling at Elton School and completed Grade 10 by correspondence. He was a prolific reader, and continued his education through short courses. Donn was recognized as an innovator, always looking for new challenges. He was very interested in cattle, showing his first calf in the Boys and Girls Calf Club competition at the Winter Fair in Brandon. Donn and his Dad bought their first registered Hereford cattle in 1944 and this business motivated him for many years. On November 25, 1959, Donn married Sylvia Carkner. It was an excellent and loving partnership. After marriage they lived in the family home from 1961 to mid 1982, at which time they moved to the site where Donns grandfather Alexander Mitchell began farming in the late 1880s. The farm has been in the family name since that time. Donn and Sylvia travelled widely in the cattle business, selling to Japan, South Africa, South America, the United States, and across Canada. Donn judged various breeds of livestock in Canada, the U.S., and South America. He liked to help the youth in the cattle industry and in farming. His mind was always questioning the "how and the why" of how things worked or didnt work. He believed it was no shame to make a mistake, as long as you didnt make the same one twice. If you could look back and remember what you didnt do right the first time, you would remember and correct it the next time. He was a farmer, a cattleman, and an entrepreneur. He worked as a partner in Shilo Farms Ltd. to develop irrigation farming in the area. Donn was one of the original 5 partners in founding Bar Five Simmental Breeders Ltd. in the early 1970s. He was active on the boards of the Keystone Centre, the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Brandon General Hospital, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, and Canadian Western Agribition. Donn was recognized by the Red River Ex. as "Mr. Manitoba Farmer", was Chairman of the Western Grain Stabilization Administration, elected to the Canadian Wheat Board Advisory Committee, was made an Honourary Life Member of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, was enrolled in the Canadian Hereford Association Honour Roll, spearheaded the establishment of the Manitoba Beef Cattle Performance Association, and the Douglas Test Station, the Manitoba Premiere Purebred Beef Producer. Donn and Sylvia were inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1997 and they were honoured as the first recipients of the Westman Award for Outstanding Philanthropy in 1998. He was pleased for the wonderful friendships he had made over a lifetime in agriculture. Donn is survived by his loving wife Sylvia; sister Mona (Russell) Green and their family; Jim (Lori) Dangerfield and their children, Aran and Mitchell; Patti and Gordon Beddome, Holly, Danny and Kelli-Mae; Doug and Michelle; Nicole and Carson; Don and Jill. He is also survived by many cousins and special friends who will really miss him, including Dave and Susie Prankie (children Michelle, Melissa, and Andrew). Donn was predeceased by his father Ernest T. Mitchell in 1972, and his mother Mary A. (Mayme) Mitchell in 1977. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held at Central United Church on Thursday, November 2, with Rev. Barbara Jardine officiating. Friends who wish may make donations to either Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave., Room ON 109, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, or Douglas United Church, Douglas, MB, R0K 0R0. Arrangements were in care of Brockie Donovan.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2000