On the afternoon of October 21, 2012 Kenneth Edward Mitchell D.D.S. passed away as he had battled cancer for several years. His wife, Bev and children Whitney, Hilary and Cooper were at his bedside at Saint Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana. Ken was born January 9, 1947 in Great Bend, Kansas. In 1972 when Ken completed dental school at the University of Missouri, he married his high school sweetheart, me-Bev Anderson. In 1973 he completed the first of a two-year residency with the Veteran’s Administration Central Office in Washington, D.C. The second year brought us to Helena in 1973. I taught 5th grade and Ken worked as a staff dentist at the Fort Harrison. We both loved living in Helena so we decided to remain here to rear our children. I continued teaching until our first child was born and Ken became the Chief of the Dental Service.
Ken was a private man and very much devoted to his profession, his family and completing home improvement projects. He always had lists of things that needed to be done, built or repaired at/around our home. He enjoyed fishing and bird hunting, reading and camping. More recently, he has looked forward to taking the motor home south to Arizona during the colder months.
Kenny was a kind, thoughtful man who loved animals and supported the humane society. He was supportive of me, his wife who often had ideas that were different from his own. He liked KU basketball and he and Cooper often talked dentistry, sports and politics. He loved and cherished his daughters Whitney and Hilary.
We are very fortunate to have a lovely home and barn that Ken drew the plans for. He was a very smart and sensible man who was always thinking and planning in his mind. He took very good care of all of us and he lived to please us, he was always planning for the future. He was organized and seldom spent money on himself but generously saved it for his family. I could go on and on about Ken and that is understandable since he has been my boyfriend since I was 16. Ken had great friends who were good to him and he respected each of them.
He was a man who loved his wife and valued his children above all else. He lived his life with Honor, Integrity, Honesty, Propriety and Civility. He always traveled the High Road. “Kenny we love you.” I am your loving wife, Bev.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 25, 2012 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home., 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will immediately follow in funeral home social hall. Burial will follow the reception at 1:30 p.m. at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Ken’s name can be made to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604-4455. Please visit below to offer the family condolences or to share a memory of Ken.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday October 25, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Immediately Following the Funeral Service to Approximately 1:00 p.m.
Thursday October 25, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Center
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
1:30 p.m.
Thursday October 25, 2012
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday October 25, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Immediately Following the Funeral Service to Approximately 1:00 p.m.
Thursday October 25, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Center
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
1:30 p.m.
Thursday October 25, 2012
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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Ronnie Tuss says
Bev & family – We were saddened to hear of Ken’s illness and subsequent passing. Although we are now living in Wa. and won’t be able to attend his services, please know that our thoughts are with all of you and that we care. In sympathy and friendship.
Ronnie & Jerome Tuss
Larry Petty says
Bev & Family; My thoughts and prayers are with you. With sincere sympathy.
Larry Petty
Peter Brandner says
Bev and family,
I got know Ken quite well during my two years working with him at Ft. Harrison. He became a mentor to me during my first years in the VA . I’ll never forget his wisdom, his dry sense of humor and passion for his work and family. He was an amazing dentist, father and person. He’ll be missed. With our deepest sympathy.
Peter and Jennifer Brandner
Larry and Sylvia Michaelson says
I just want Ken’s family and others to know that Dr. Ken was an amazing dedicated dentist and friend. Ken and I worked together for over 20 years while he practiced dentistry at the Fort Harrison Dental Clinic. He was as passionate about his field as I was about mine. Our amusing topics; Mesial Rest, Distal Guide Plane and Mesial Undercut. When he became ill, he would stop by my dental lab just to chat about life and, of course, dental techonology. I will never forget him and consider myself fortunate that our lives crossed paths. Both my wife Sylvia and I will miss him. Sincerely, Larry and Sylvia Michaelson Pioneer Dental Studio
Dan says
You guys know my feelings for Ken. I loved him and will greatly miss him. Bill, Ken and I were friends for most of our adult lives. We cracked each other up and were always there for each other. I have a hole in my heart. My life was surely enriched by his friendship.
Bob & Cheryl Summerer says
Our heart-felt sympathy & prayers go out to Bev & all the family. We attended Ken’s retirement party & know that he looked forward to doing so many more things.
I (Bob) especially remember Ken’s devotion to dentistry, but also his dry sense of humor & the special lunch group at Fort Harrison & many of the interesting conversations. After his illness I was quite fortunate to have lunch with Ken on two different occasions & share thoughts about work, family, retirement & life in general. We share the same birth date, Jan 9, but also many other values & interests. He was a really special person & will be greatly missed by all those he touched.
Linda M. Martin says
Bev and family,
I had the opportunity to work for Dr. Mitchell for 2 years. He was great to work for and it was quite obvious he was very dedicated to his profession. Patients were always telling me how pleased they were with their new dentures, what a great job he had done, and to be sure and thank him. Frequently, I would ask Dr. Mitchell dental questions and he always took the time to explain them. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband, friend, and dad.
Caitie Toren says
Mitchell Family,
Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Ken was always so friendly and helpful when I worked at Medowlark. I always enjoyed seeing him and being able to learn from him. I am so sorry for loss.
Paul and Becky Donaldson says
Dear Bev, Whitney, Hilary and Cooper,
We’re so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing and know how very much he’ll be missed. We will always remember him as a dedicated husband and father, as well as his dry sense of humor and involvement in 4-H. Praying that you’ll all be surrounded and comforted by those who knew and loved him.
Bev & Family says
Hello friends,
Thank you for the kind words and reminders of memories that you once shared with Ken or the rest of us. Life is beautiful on the inside with jagged and sharp edges along the outside. I am so grateful that we live mostly within the middle of life and we are able to avoid those painful edges. Being able to hear about the things you remember about Ken helps to ease our pain. A dear friend of mine spoke softly to me yesterday about how it feels to lose a close loved one. She said that it is like having a part of you amputated, and I guess that is a pretty accurate analogy. We are doing our best to get on with it (life) and again I thank you – and so much appreciate you taking your time to send condolences to us. Bev & Family
Bill Peteet says
Bev, Hilary, Whitney & Cooper,
I have been thinking of all of you throughout Ken’s fight and especially the last few days. As you know, I got to know Ken later in life, and really enjoyed our visits. Hopefully as the days go by the pain will diminish and you can remember and cherish all the good times you had together. The four of you have been and will be in my prayers.
Bill
Carol Starosta says
Bev, I was saddened to hear from Mary on Sunday that Ken had passed away. He seemed to be in pretty good spirits when we were in Montana in July. I’m very sorry for your, Hilary, Whitney, and Cooper’s loss, but happy that you and Ken had so many good years together. I am very thankful that you have taken me on as a long distance friend. You and your children will be in my thoughts.
Carol
Chris Petrosky says
Bev, Whit, Hil & Coop,
I just heard about Ken’s passing. What a man he was. I am so deeply sorry for all of you. Ken was such a gentle man and I know you already miss him. One of my fondest memories was when I would stop out and we girls would shop for Horse Show Supplies. He would calmly joke about me showing up because it always cost him money. But with a smile he handed over the checkbook. He was such a calm and peaceful man. What a friend he was. I truly feel blessed that I got to know him and his family. I learned things from Ken that I use today. God Bless him and God Bless you all.