Darla Dene Mitchell

On Saturday, October 13th, 2012, Darla Mitchell was reunited with her loving Father in Heaven following a courageous battle with liver and kidney failure. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her as they await a sweet reunion with her on the other side of the veil.

Darla Dene Kirkman was born on January 13th, 1944 to Dwendin and Mavis Kirkman, the third of four children and the only girl. She spent her entire childhood growing up on Willard Avenue and greatly enjoyed walking home from mutual with her neighborhood friends. Her teenage years were spent working at Kress' Dime store and helping care for the Neeser children. During this time, she was set up on a blind date with Merten Mitchell. She enjoyed the date enough to agree to other dates during the next few years. After this long courtship, she and “Mitch” were married in the Logan, Utah LDS temple on September 27th, 1963. During the next eight years they were blessed with three wonderful children, DeNae, Michael J and DeNelle.

During her adult life Darla taught herself to sew. She fell in love with it and continued to sew doll and baby clothes for herself and others the rest of her life. She also enjoyed bowling, going to sporting events for her kids and grandkids as well as making trips to Las Vegas as often as she had the money. However, she will probably be known the most for her delicious cooking. Darla loved to cook. Her calling in life was to be in the kitchen fixing a big holiday meal with tons of friends and family in the adjoining room laughing and visiting together. From her Thanksgiving dinners and peas and potatoes to her “dippy” egg and sausage breakfasts, everyone loved eating at Darla's.

Darla was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents Joseph and Matilda Kirkman and Ettna and Lottie Gilbert, and Lance Simmons who affectionately referred to her as “Grandma”. She is survived by her husband Merten, Chubbuck, daughter DeNae (Kevin) Hickman, Chubbuck, son Michael J (Melissa) Mitchell, Idaho Falls, daughter DeNelle (Steven) Millward, Pocatello, brothers Leon (Marj) Kirkman Pleasant Grove, Utah, Dale (Judy) Kirkman, Pocatello and Ralph (Karen) Kirkman, Caldwell, Idaho, Jill (Jerry) Tydeman, Inkom and Shannon (Jacqi) Norton, Meridian, Idaho who knew Darla as “Mom”, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

All friends and family are invited to attend. Should friends and family desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made at Pocatello Railroad Federal Credit Union. Service information is posted under the "Service Schedule" tab.

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