Elise Rae Mitchell

Obituary

Elise Rae Mitchell

September 26, 1942 – January 13, 2026

In the care of Carlson Colonial & Kirby-Morris Funeral Home

Elise Rae (Wittmer) (Smith) (Carpenter) Mitchell, beloved wife of Ben (William B.) Mitchell and adoring mother to Scott Carpenter and Lisa Carpenter Coffin, 83, of El Dorado, KS, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at 1:45 pm on January 13, 2026, at Homestead of El Dorado.

Elise was born on September 26, 1942, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Ralph and Helen Wittmer. After her biological father died in the war, she was adopted at age seven and raised by Father Gail Smith.

Elise was a devoted mother to Scott Carpenter and Lisa Carpenter Coffin. Our mom took special joy in worrying every waking moment about us and loved telling stories of our childhood. Her laughter was contagious.

Elise was preceded in death by mother Helen Smith, father Gail Smith, beloved aunt Marie Finney and stepson Kirby Mitchell, and is survived by her husband Ben (William B.) Mitchell of El Dorado, son Scott Carpenter (Connie) of Wichita, daughter Lisa Carpenter Coffin (David) of Lee's Summit, MO, sister Kathy Fowler and brother Greg Smith (Frankie) both of El Dorado, grandsons David Price of Kansas City, MO, Andy and Jeremy Polley of Wichita, granddaughters Emily Coffin of Overland Park, KS, Breona Fischetti, Laura Mitchell and Kori Nelson and great grandson LJJ Fischetti of El Dorado.

Elise was described as a spirited, direct, and opinionated woman with a loving heart. She was known for her candidness and strong personality, balanced by her deep love for family and friends. She was co-founder of the Kansas Veterans Reunion and worked tirelessly on this event each year until health issues limited her participation. Elise met her husband Ben at the Cowboy Club in Wichita, where she worked as a hostess and he as a bouncer; they married in 1988 and shared over 37 years together. Professionally, she worked as a bank teller at 1st National Bank of Eldorado and as a vault manager at Bank IV in Wichita. Elise was also known for her love of dancing and being the life of any party.

A viewing for Elise Rae Mitchell is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20th, from 6-8 pm, followed by a funeral service on Wednesday, January 21st at 1 pm, both held at Kirby-Morris Funeral Home. Graveside services are to follow at Sunset Lawns. The family expresses gratitude to the staff at Homestead of El Dorado and Interim Hospice and Rehabilitation for their compassionate care, constant companionship, and love of Elise.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the VFW Children's Home https://vfwnationalhome.org/