Rinehart Mitzel

Rinehart Mitzel, age 95, went home to Heaven on Saturday, May 1, 2021. Rinehart was born the sixth of eight children to Wilhelm and Emilie (Wiest) Mitzel in Herried, South Dakota on March 1, 1926.  When he was 10, his family came west to farm in Eastern Washington. They lived in Peshastin for a short while, and then in Sunnyside and Outlook. As a teenager, he worked harvesting hops, asparagus, cherries and sugar beets. In 1945, Rinehart enlisted in the Army and served as a M.P. until 1947.  After the Army, he worked at the Airport Ranch in Sunnyside. He married his high school sweetheart, Dordeen Hansen, on August 5, 1949. They moved to Renton, Washington in 1952 where they raised their family, worked, and retired. Rinehart was a machinist for 36 years, retiring in 1988 from PACCAR.  During his time there, he worked on military tanks, hydraulics and winches . Over the years Rinehart spent many happy hours RV camping, gardening, woodworking and do-it-yourself projects.

Rinehart’s passion was his family and home. With the birth of his two granddaughters, Rinehart took on his new role of “Grandpa R” with much love. He enjoyed spending time with the girls, camping, listening to their young adventures, harvesting his garden with their help and playing board games and miniature golf with them. He also had the special experience of each of the girls staying with him and Dordeen while they worked in the Renton area. He had the great joy of playing peek-a-boo with his great granddaughter in March.  He will be remembered for his humor and strong work ethics.

Rinehart is survived by his daughter Debra (George) Spencer, granddaughters Kathleen Spencer and Natalie (Loren) Gogins, great granddaughter London Gogins, and brother Alfred (Jeanette) Mitzel.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Dordeen Mitzel, his son Rinehart Mitzel Jr at 12 years old, his parents, three brothers and three sisters, and many sisters-and brothers-in-law.

Graveside services were held at Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac, Washington on May 12, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

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