Thelma Agnes Mitchell

Thelma A. Mitchell age 94 of Detroit Lakes, MN died July 6, 2021 at Ecumen – Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN., under the care of hospice.

Thelma Agnes Nyland was born to Thomas and Lillian (Harvala) Nyland on October 18, 1926 in rural Osage, MN., where she grew up and was educated in area schools. She was baptized and confirmed from the Pickeral Lake Apostolic Lutheran Church.

She married Elden Gjersvig in Detroit Lakes in 1947 and they lived and farmed in Richwood Township for thirty-four years until his death in 1981.Thelma worked for the Swift’s Hatchery in Detroit Lakes for fifteen years. She was an active member of Bakke Lutheran Church, the Church Women, and Quilting for Missions. She was a member of Bakke Lutheran Church for seventy four years. She also served as a project leader for the Holmesville 4-H Club. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, picking berries, and making chokecherry jelly to share with family.

On June 7, 1984 she married Merl Mitchell. They enjoyed traveling, fishing trips, Twins games, and attending the many sports and games that the grandchildren were in. Merl passed away in July of 2004.

Thelma is survived by two sons, Robert (Susan) Gjersvig, of Detroit Lakes, MN; and James (Susan) Gjersvig, of Detroit Lakes, MN; ten grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; son in law, Steve Burhans; one step daughter, Carolyn (Charles) Fox, of Mankato, MN; seven step grandchildren; many step great grandchildren; four brothers, Wally Nyland, Earl Nyland, Allen Nyland, and Jerry Nyland; two sisters, Elvie Zitzow and Lois Mitchell; and sisters in law, Margie Johnson and Kathy Nyland.

She was preceded in death by one son and daughter in law, Dudley and Charlotte Gjersvig; one daughter, Julie Burhans; two stepsons, Bruce Mitchell and Robert Mitchell; two brothers, Norman Nyland and Edwin Nyland; and two sisters, Viola Wald and Mickey Berg.

Funeral Services will be on Monday July 12, 2021; 11:00 a.m. at the Bakke Lutheran Church in rural Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the Bakke Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the Bakke Lutheran Church or Hospice of the Red River Valley. Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home.

Thelma Mitchell Memorial Folder