Andrew Mitchell

ANDREW MITCHELL

Cedar Rapids

Andrew James Mitchell was born Sept. 29, 1963, in Wilmette, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.

The youngest of three boys, Andy was active, athletic and talented, spending his childhood playing pranks, sports, and developing several passions that he would carry with him for the rest of his life. Andy spent summers "monkey-balling" for golf balls in a local course pond, which he then used to play golf with his brothers and friends – a love for golf was something that he always shared. Andy kept every scorecard from every round he played, from early morning Father's Day rounds to the Moose Lodge No. 304 golf tournament to the scorecards from the annual golf trip to Florida he took with friends. Andy always was an exceptional golfer and instructor, often encouraging himself (and his friends) to "Hit the putt, Sally" and gently reminding his youngest daughter that it doesn't hurt to think about a shot before you take it.

Growing up in Chicago also fostered Andy's absolute dedication to the Chicago Cubs, and on Sept. 29, a baseball fanatic was born. Andy loved anything and everything baseball – as a kid, he always was on a team, playing with friends or in leagues, and had a large collection of baseball cards. As Andy got older and attended college, his passion for baseball turned into an exceptional stint as a pitcher for the Macalester Fighting Scots in St. Paul, Minn. One of the highlights of Andy's baseball career was when he was the starting pitcher in the game that ended Macalester's 14-year losing streak to their rivals, the University of St. Thomas.

Once Andy traded in his college baseball hat for a fatherhood hat, Andy continued to incorporate baseball into his life. Andy coached baseball, cheering on all three of his kids from the sidelines and helping them practice by playing "pepper" at a nearby field and attending countless Cubs games at Wrigley Field. He particularly cherished the time he spent at Wrigley with his brothers.

Andy attended Macalester College from 1981 to 1985 and majored in international relations with a minor in business German, though he considered himself a German major and showed it by spending a semester abroad in Vienna.

It was during Andy's college years that his childhood love of playing the drums turned into something much more extraordinary. Andy was a prolific drummer, able to pick up innumerable songs by ear and play them by memory, sometimes while also doing lead vocals, as he also had an exceptional voice. Andy was a member of several bands in college, including The Stragglers, which played the legendary 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis.

In his adult years, Andy was a member of Maru and the Widgets in Cedar Rapids and was a regular part of the local gig circuit.

During his time at Macalester College, Andy met Karen Wohlleben, and they married in 1989. Andy and Karen raised their three children in Cedar Rapids, where Andy continued to live after their divorce in 2008.

Andrew Mitchell passed away Aug. 8, 2015, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, surrounded by family.

He is survived by his parents, Jim and Jean Mitchell of Valparaiso, Ind.; two brothers, David (Kristen) Mitchell, Chicago, and Robert (Denise) Mitchell, Woodbridge, Va.; three children, Georgia (Rob) Gomez, Bloomington, Minn., Tyler Mitchell, St. Paul, Minn., and Lauren Mitchell, Prescott, Wis.; and his ex-wife, Karen Wohlleben, St. Paul, Minn. Andrew also is survived by his grandson, Desi Gomez, as well as a loving extended family, including Eldon and Carol Wohlleben, Marion, Cathy (Claudio) Wohlleben, Cedar Rapids, and Eric (Valerie) Wohlleben, Alexandria, Va. Andrew is survived by his best friend, Tom Cardella, Solon, and many other loving family and friends.

A memorial gathering will be Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.