Elizabeth J. "Bette" Mitchell, 87, of 314 So. Marquette St., Ironwood, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, at Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, Wis. The former Elizabeth Tonkin was born July 25, 1920, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Clarence and Mabel (Gribble) Tonkin, attended Ironwood schools, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1937. She then attended Gogebic Community College for two years. Bette was employed as a secretary in the Ironwood school system for a short time, and as a bookkeeper at the Johnson Music Store in downtown Ironwood for 30 years, retiring in 1971. She was a faithful and active member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood, where she was a 50-year member of the Wesley United Methodist Choir, a member and past secretary/treasurer of the United Methodist Women, a member of the Auditing Committee, and took care of the altar decorations for several years. She was also a member of the Auxiliary to Ironwood American Legion Post 5, and Ewen Chapter 462, Order of the Eastern Star, where she worked through the chairs and held state office. Bette was married to Thomas Mitchell on July 18, 1970, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood. He survives. Also surviving are brothers-and-sisters-in-law, John and Ruth Mitchell, Ironwood, and JoAnn and Clarence Reinholtz, Weslaco, Texas; nieces, Sara (Jeff) Saxby, Amy Reinholtz, Beatrice Frol, Susan Dryer and Marilyn Krause; cousins, Charles (Betty) Gribble, Mark Gorrill, Norma Matthews, Warren (Sally) Matthews, David (Patti) Matthews, Dr. Robert (Mindy) Gribble, John (Carol) Gribble, Erik Saxby, LaRayne (Ken) Scholfield, Kathy (Rob) Majewski, Jim (Paula) Gribble, Sally Rasmussen, Diane Gribble and Karen Lumb; and friends, Marilyn Paulsen, Lola Larson, Marilyn Soyka, Phyllis Carr, Lucille Rye, Ruth Broemer, Edith Tuttle, Aleda Slade, Katherine Inch and Mary Larson. In accordance with Bette's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m., at Wesley United Methodist Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Jean B. Rencontre officiating. Committal services will take place at the church, with a luncheon to follow in the church fellowship hall. Spring inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. To view Bette's obituary online, sign the guestbook, or express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.