Shirley Kay Mitchell

Shirley Kay Groom Mitchell, 86, passed away October 16, 2024, in Pocatello, Idaho. Shirley was born April 24, 1938 in American Falls, Idaho, the second child of Raymond Ross Groom and Pearl Morse Groom. Shirley grew up in Rockland and American Falls. She attended schools at Landing (Rockland) and American Falls. After graduation she worked at the Bell Telephone Company as a switch board operator. 

She and her friends like to go to the Delta Ball Room in Pocatello, Idaho. This is where she met the love of her life, Blaine J Mitchell. Mom and Dad were married in American Falls, Idaho on April 24, 1957, on her birthday. They lived in Aberdeen were Blaine worked for Uncle Johnny Palmer, then later they moved to Rockland to help Shirley’s father Raymond on the family homestead. They farmed most of their lives in the Rockland Valley except for 3 years when they ran the Texaco Gas Station in American Falls. 

They raised four daughters, Rhonda, Robyn, Melanie and Kim. They worked side by side where Shirley was instrumental in keeping the farm records, running for parts, driving trucks and tractors when needed. Along with farming they had milk cows, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, and several different types of birds. Some nice and some not so nice, just ask the girls. Mom worked at the Rockland Merc for a number of years. She also helped run the Rockland Café, where she enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors. 

Mom was a hard worker and she taught her girls how to work hard; mowing the yard, planting flowers, cleaning, cooking, picking rock, pulling rye, feeding animals, and many other farm duties.  Playing cards and having card parties with friends was an activity mom and dad enjoyed.  The girls remember that they were sent to bed, but could her mom opening the candy bags for the party.  The girls remember camping and fishing at MacKay Reservoir, Island Park, and Henry’s Lake with the Havlicak family, and the Leyshon family.  Spending time at Ray and Emma Rowe’s home with mom and Emma making candy.  Taking lunches to the harvest field and having a picnic in the shade beside the combine.  Riding in the wheat truck and mom singing “She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes”, “On the Road Again” and “You are my Sunshine”.

We remember one time when mom was driving a load of wheat up a steep road on the divide and the old international truck died before she got to the top of the hill. We wanted to get out, but mom was trying to restart the truck and told us no. She was able to back the loaded wheat truck down the winding hill without tipping us over in the deep gulley.

She liked traveling to Jackpot and Wendover with dad, Arlene, Kenny and Carla, where Mom was always lucky. Robyn and Bobby took her to the horse races often. She spent many Christmas mornings at Kim and Shane’s home and then go back to her home for family dinner.

We remember Mom and Dad liked to dance and were always dancing around the house. They loved their country music. Traveling with family and friends and seeing the country was something mom enjoyed. She liked the cruises she went on and talked about then often. Mom liked to hunt, and fish in her pond. She had a love of flowers, especially roses and spent many hours keeping her yard looking beautiful and feeding the humming birds.

Mom was a great supporter of her girls and the activities and events they were in.

She loved following Uncle Boyd and his basketball team. We remember sitting at Cold Water Hill late at night listening to the radio station trying to get Uncle Boyd’s games to come in clear over the radio. Sometimes we had to drive almost to Twin Falls before we would get good reception. She was one of Uncle Boyd’s top fans.  Mom also was a Jazz fan and would watch every game. She knew all of the players and kept a record of all the scores on a notepad. Bobby often went over to Moms to watch the games with her.

My sisters and I will remember mom sitting in her rocking chair looking out the window. She was always wondering where people were going and what they were doing. She kept a close eye on her neighbor Andy.

She liked to tease and then would act mad and then give that unique "Shirley wink".

Mom and Dad celebrated their fifty wedding anniversary in 2007. The girls gave them an Anniversary party at the farm. Later our family celebrated by taking a family trip to the Oregon Coast.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Blaine, parents Raymond and Pearl, her sister Glenna Rae Groom Grant, Stepfather John Robinson, and brother Byron Robinson.

She is survived by her 4 daughters, Rhonda Munk (Randy) Rockland, Idaho, Robyn Hohenfield (Bobby) Pocatello, Idaho, Melanie Kress (Jon) Rockland, Idaho, Kim Mitchell (Shane) Pocatello, Idaho, 15 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. Her brothers Stan Groom (Margie) Rockland, Idaho, and Ken Groom (Alicia), Fresno, California, John Robinson (Lorri) Rockland, Idaho, numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. 

The family will greet family and friends from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at Davis-Rose Mortuary, 170 Idaho Street, American Falls, Idaho. At 1:30 pm. Shirley's Eulogy will be read at the mortuary. Then the Interment will be at Falls View Cemetery, located at 2938 McKinley Rd, American Falls, ID. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.davisrosemortuary.com.

Shirley Kay Mitchell will be missed deeply, but her legacy of love and family will continue to shine brightly through those she leaves behind.