Rulon Nyles Mitchell

Rulon “Mitch” Nyles Mitchell, 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 15, 2025, in Orem, Utah.

Rulon was born on March 11, 1937, in Preston, Idaho, to Golda and Rulon F. Mitchell. He had two brothers and a sister. His parents and siblings called him by his middle name, Nyles, but he was “Mitch” to most people who knew him. He spent an adventurous childhood in Preston, Idaho, often sharing time fishing with his dad and exploring the hollows and farms in the area. He played basketball for Preston High School. After his family moved to Montpelier, Idaho he played on the high school basketball team there as well.

Mitch married Josephine Rae “JoRae” Olsen on September 13, 1957, in the Logan Temple. They were blessed with eight children and raised them in North Ogden, Utah. Mitch and JoRae later designed and built a home in Preston, Idaho, where they spent more than 20 years together.

Mitch worked as a civil engineer for the Utah Department of Transportation for thirty years. After retiring from UDOT, he worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a janitor—a quiet, peaceful job he thoroughly enjoyed and took great pride in.

Mitch was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in many roles, including ward executive secretary, ward clerk, assistant stake clerk, Sunday School president, ward mission leader, and Logan Temple ordinance worker. One of the highlights of his life was serving a mission with his wife JoRae in the Samara, Russia Mission where they worked with young adults in the area. They later served a second mission together at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Mitch also spent time as president of the Ogden Camera Club and served as chairman of the North Ogden City Planning Commission.

Known for his sense of humor, Mitch was often found breaking out into random songs. He was a premier-level “cat tuner” and took great joy in this pastime. He enjoyed hunting, coin collecting, photography, fishing, woodworking, beekeeping, camping, scenic drives, square dancing, parties with friends, and traveling.

Mitch loved working with his hands and always had a creative project underway, usually of his own design—dioramas, three-dimensional collages, birdhouses, windmills, holiday decorations, shelving, and more. He even built a scale model of the Preston home he and JoRae designed. He kept a meticulous vegetable garden, and his flower beds were beautiful.

Some of Mitch’s favorite sayings included: “I’m not half as dumb as I am sloshy looking,” and “Be good, be kind, behave, and mind your mother!” When asked how he was doing, he would always respond, “Fair to poor,” just to see if people were paying attention.

Mitch was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Rae Olsen Mitchell; son, Brian Scott Mitchell; granddaughter, Shalee Kay Mitchell; brother, John Clain Mitchell; sister, Marilyn Kay; mother, Gulborg (Golda Olsen) Mitchell; father, Rulon Farnes Mitchell; and Lulu, the most patient cat that ever lived.

Mitch leaves behind his brother Dale Callan; his children Kent (Cherilyn) Mitchell, Kami (Lynn) Tilby, Kathy (Curtis) Johnson, Nyles Mitchell, Nyla Bowers, Becky (Brian) Hartle, and Kelly (Jana) Mitchell; along with 31 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Hidden Meadows Ward Chapel, 480 West 2000 North, Harrisville. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden.

The family expresses deep gratitude to Covington Senior Living of Orem, Aspire Hospice Care, caregiver Dixie Johnson, and caregiver Sarah Malloy for their unwavering kindness and support throughout the challenges of Alzheimer’s.