Geneva Carolyn Mitzner

Geneva Carolyn (Rash) Mitzner, to many known as “Neva”, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on January 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. Up until the end, Neva maintained her kindness and grace and expressed her appreciation of love for family, making sure that everyone by her side knew how much she loved them.

Neva was born in Portland, Oregon on December 31, 1941, to Lloyd Rash and Daisy Smith. As a young child, Neva’s mom moved the kids to Kansas and found new love with Johnny Lyons, who became their stepdad. Johnny welcomed Neva and her siblings with open arms and raised them in his home in Osawatomie. He was a wonderful man whose selflessness and love for Neva and her siblings is a treasured gift that will never be forgotten. Neva graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1959.

Shortly after graduating, she met her lifelong best friend and love of her life, David Mitzner. They were married on September 10, 1960, and became the parents of one son, Brent. During their 65 years of marriage, Neva devoted every minute she had to making sure David was taken care of and knew how much she loved him. Their marriage is a testament to one of the most beautiful love stories ever written. A lifetime of a steadfast love, woven together through sacrifices and promises made, rooted in loyalty, respect, and an unwavering devotion to one another.

Throughout the years, Neva worked different jobs including Willards IGA in Osawatomie, but her greatest talent and what she was especially known for, was her exceptional skill as a seamstress. She worked in commercial sewing factories for years, some of which included LC Penn in Paola and Saunders Industries in Paola. She also worked for her sister, Ellen, at White’s Upholstery recovering furniture. Neva could sew anything and loved making things such clothes, dolls, curtains or fixing anything anyone needed mended. She had a passion and love for wingback chairs, buying them at sales and recovering them in different fabrics of her choice.

Though she was known for her career as a seamstress, her greatest and most cherished role was being a devoted mother to Brent and grandmother to three grandchildren. Brent was her greatest blessing and the love she had for her son could never be measured. She loved deeply and selflessly, serving as a caregiver not only to her own child and grandchildren but also to other family members who were special to her(including Renae Lunsford and her children, whom she considered her own and spent a lot of time with), who were blessed by her steady presence and compassionate heart.

Neva had many hobbies throughout her lifetime. In her younger years, she loved to coach Brent’s little league sports. She was a talented bowler who spent many years participating in State tournaments. She loved to play bingo and go to casinos. In recent years, she learned how to play golf and loved spending time on the golf course. She was a jeopardy wizard, could not be beat at Trivial pursuit and had a gift for solving crossword puzzles. She loved cooking and feeding people and hosting family get togethers for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Buying all the little kids gifts at Christmas brought her great joy. She was an animal lover and any stray cat that showed up, always had a home and a name.

Neva was one of a kind, with the biggest heart. Her gentle spirit touched everyone she came in contact with. She loved people, especially her family, and never missed a chance for a hug. Her sweet nature left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She knew Jesus and is now reunited with him, resting in his presence with perfect peace. She was cherished by many, and her passing has left a void that can never be filled. She will be missed more than deeply than words can express, but her memory will live on always.

Neva was preceded in death by her parents and stepdad; her brothers Lloyd Walter Rash, Jr., Clifford Arnold Rash, Johnny Eugene Lyons and Tom Neighbors; and her sister Ellen Louise White.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, David; her son Brent (Danessa); grandchildren Hannah, Chance and Jacob; her sister Sharon (Paul) Hackler; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Service 2pm Friday January 30, 2026 at Eddy Birchard. Visitation 1-2pm Friday prior to the Service. Burial will be at Osawatomie Cemetery.