Ronald "Ron" E Mitchell

Ronald “Ron” E. Mitchell, 89, of Sparta, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Emplify by Gundersen, La Crosse. He was born on February 4, 1937, in La Crosse, to Lester and Luella (Luckason) Mitchell. He grew up in the Portland, WI area, and graduated from Cashton High School.

After high school, Ron worked as a farmhand in the Cashton and Sparta area. He was then hired June 1st, 1968, by DHIA of Monroe County, where he served as manager for 58 years. In addition, he was involved and highly respected throughout Wisconsin DHIA.

Working in the dairy and farming industry was Ron’s whole life. He was very involved in the Monroe County Dairy Breakfast, Monroe County Fair, and he attended the World Dairy Expo in Madison on an annual basis. He was also involved in the Sparta community where he volunteered at Sparta Butterfest, serving as Parade Marshall in 2012, and he was also an active member of First Congregational Church of Leon. Family, community, and church were the cornerstones of Ron’s life.

Ron is survived by his sister, Beverly “Snookie” (Clinton) Bagstad of Westby; nieces and nephews, Lance (Tami) Bagstad of Arcadia, Linda (Chad) Barth of La Crosse, Scott (Stacy) Mitchell of West Salem, and Sheri (Dave) Mitchell of Spring Valley, MN; great-nieces and nephews, Tyler (Jennah) Bagstad, and their daughter, Nova, Jillian (Alex) Bagstad, Caitlin (Jared) Varner, and children, Brooks and Stella, Chloe (Johnny) Barth, Ella Barth, Elsa Mitchell, Celia Mitchell, Tula Mitchell, and Will Grant; dear friend and coworker, Richard Brown of Cashton; and many other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Luella; brother, LaVerne “Bud” Mitchell; sister-in-law, Judith; and stepmother, Irene (nee Miller) Mitchell.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at First Congregational Church of Leon, with Chad Cummings officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Moen Cemetery, Cashton.

A visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Congregational Church of Leon and Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Cashton. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.   

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