Susan Rae Mitchell, 76, of Westwood, died Monday, September 16, 2024 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant. 
Mrs. Mitchell, the former Susan Rae Keller, was born March 31, 1948 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Donald Vernen and Bobetta Louise (Betz) Keller. The family moved to Ames, IA when Susan was young. Susan graduated from Ames High School in 1966. She entered the United States Navy on June 17, 1966. She served as a Hospital Corps wave (the female Navy version of a Hospital Corpsman). Susan was honorably discharged as a HM3 at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, WA on June 16, 1969.
On July 22, 1967 in Ames, IA, Susan was united in marriage to Vernon Glen Mitchell.
The couple settled in South Dakota where Susan graduated with honors from Dakota State College (now Dakota State University) in Madison, SD with her degree in Business and Education. She taught school in Hudson, SD and in Minnesota. The couple moved to Redfield, SD where Susan became an educator at the South Dakota State Mental Health Institution in Redfield, working with disabled children.
In 1992, Susan and Vernon moved to Mt. Pleasant. Susan worked for the Job Training Partnership Act, which was administered by Southeastern Community College.
Susan belonged to two book clubs in Mt. Pleasant. She loved to volunteer. She assisted as a volunteer with the Red Cross, and with was a Girl Scout Camp Director. Susan volunteered to organize archives at the Repertoire Theater Museum on the Midwest Old Threshers Grounds in Mt. Pleasant.
Those thankful for sharing in Susan’s life include her husband of 57 years, Vernon of Mt. Pleasant, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Her parents, a sister – Marcia Widows and a brother, Don Keller, precede Susan in death.
Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. A committal service will take place at a later date at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for decisions to be made later. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.