Mitchell A. Elton, 59, died Friday, July 26. 2024 with his wife, son, sister-in-law and mother-in-law at his side at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck. Mitchell’s Celebration of Life Service will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Bishop Joshua Farnsworth presiding. Inurnment will take place at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Mitchell A. Elton was born September 3, 1964, to Lenn and Shirley (Judkins) Elton. He was the younger twin of his brother Michael.
They lived on the farm near Keene until Mitch was about six years old. They decided to move into the town of Watford City where he graduated from Watford City High School in 1983. One of Mitch’s high school accomplishments was achieving a rank of Eagle Scout.
After high school, Mitch and Marty Kueffler headed out to Billings, MT for radio school. Mitch lived in various places over the years such as Williston, Watford City, and Bowman, holding various jobs such as insurance sales, Mike’s Super Valu, and Kum and Go. He had two marriages. One out of high school with Sheila Miller, and they had a daughter, Mandi. The second marriage with Michelle Weninger, and they had a son, Brandon. Mitch loved being stepdad to Michelle’s two sons, Cody and Corey.
In 2010, while on Facebook chat Mitch reconnected with Michelle Kostelecky, a longtime friend from high school. Mitch and Michelle agreed to meet up for a coke and to catch up on life. It was at this time they discovered that they were meant to be together. Mitch was the calm to Michelle’s disquietude at that time.
On August 20, 2011 in Bismarck their separate lives became a wonderful blended family with Michelle gaining a stepdaughter, Mandi and stepson Brandon. Mitch gained three stepsons, Kevin, Steve and Jon.
Mitch always wanted to be the best that he could be. When a job opened as a meat cutter, Mitch went to learn how to cut meat on YouTube so he could apply for the job. His career grew, and he became a meat manager in Dickinson. Wanting to be the best, every time Mitch and Michelle traveled anywhere, he had to visit the grocery stores to see how they set up their meat departments. With his drive and ambition, he became one of the best meat managers for the Family Fare stores in ND.
In 2021 Mitch ended up with covid. Unfortunately, he was one of the many that experienced long-term effects and was forced to retire. Struggling to find a new passion with his new limits on life, he started studying the Bible. It was during this time he grew to love Jesus and was born again thru not one, but two baptisms. His faith is what got him through these hard times.
Everywhere Mitch went he made friends. He was quite a conversationalist and loved talking about many different topics. He was respected by everyone he talked to.
Mitch was loved by many friends and his family. As important as his friends were to him, his family meant the world to him. He loved them beyond measure, and he will be greatly missed by many.
Mitch is survived by his wife of 12 years Michelle “Missy”; two children, Mandi (Josh) Bernitt, and Brandon Elton; three stepchildren, Kevin Shaw, Steven Shaw, and Jon Shaw; two grandchildren, Jackson and Kaylee; siblings, Randy Elton, Gary (Sandy Rude) Elton, Debbie Bolken, and Michael (Lorna Wadholm) Elton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lenn and Shirley (Judkins) Elton; and sister, Jerilyn Baker.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
