Earl Mitchell

1931 - 2026

Earl Mitchell

June 25, 1931 - March 11, 2026

MEMORIAL SERVICES for Earl H. Mitchell, age 94, of Norfolk, NE, will be at 2 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk. Reverend Christopher Asbury will officiate. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. Military honors will be conducted by the Army National Guard Honor Guard, American Legion Post 16, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1644.

VISITATION with family will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

A reception to follow the service at the Norfolk Arts Center from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Earl passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Heritage at Fountain Point in Norfolk, with his beloved wife, Marilyn, at his side.

Earl Harvey Mitchell was born in Ewing, NE, on June 25, 1931, to Harvey and Laura (Selvy) Mitchell. He grew up admiring his older brother Bob (Robert J Mitchell) and lived in several small towns in Nebraska. As a child, Earl developed a strong interest in music and, with years of practice, began playing drums in a dance band while in junior high.

Graduating from Chadron High School in 1949, he received a Regents' scholarship to the University of Nebraska, where he became the first percussion major in the school's history.

Earl continued playing drums for bands and performed for Johnny Carson with the Johnny Cox Orchestra. He graduated from UNL with distinction in 1953, completed some graduate work at Boston College, and joined the Army. Earl gladly played cadences for his company as they marched from one training class to another at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

The captain sought him out, and he soon began playing drums at the Officers' Club. He was eventually selected for the Army Band and later, in Stuttgart, Germany, earned a position in the Seventh Army Symphony, which was made up of the finest young musicians serving in the United States Army. As a tympanist, Earl played in concert halls in many major cities in Germany, Austria, France, Italy, and the U.K., with his final performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The orchestra was established to demonstrate shared cultural values and musical heritage with American troops and U.S. Allies throughout Europe after WWII. After being honorably discharged in July 1955, Earl spent a year in Paris studying French at the Sorbonne University while teaching percussion lessons to help pay his way.

Upon returning to the U.S., Earl ran into Marilyn Paul, a vocal instructor in Imperial, Nebraska. It just so happened that the public schools in Imperial were looking for an instrumental instructor, and Earl got the job. They soon fell in love and married on July 13, 1957. They moved to Norfolk in 1959, where they raised their three children and became involved in the community they grew to love. He often was the drummer in musicals, and events Marilyn was involved in, and of course sang in her choir.

Earl became a financial advisor, earned a certified financial planning designation, and served clients in northeast Nebraska for 40 years. He garnered the utmost respect from his colleagues and peers, often mentoring others beginning their careers. Earl's conservative approach and high integrity made him popular with clients of all ages. He held a special place in his heart for farmers and educators. He received many honors and awards during his career and was highly regarded by the community he served, retiring in 1997.

Over the years, Earl and Marilyn traveled the world, and he, above all, loved showing Marilyn the "City of Lights." These travels increased their passion for the arts, and in 1978, they and other community leaders formed the Norfolk Arts Center, thus inspiring a growing interest in the arts in northeast Nebraska.

The list of Earl's community service activities and board appointments is extensive, including the Nebraska Humanities Council, UNL Chancellor's Council, and multiple foundations in northeast Nebraska. He served on the Norfolk Public School Board and was instrumental in the design and construction of the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk. Earl loved being a longtime member of the Norfolk Country Club, where he made many friends, playing golf well into his 80s. He and Marilyn were charter members of Norfolk's International Wine and Food Society, where they treasured many lifelong friendships.

Earl was very knowledgeable about many things; he had a disarming wit and an empathetic heart toward everyone he met. He learned the Spanish language in his 80s, which led to special friendships for him to cherish.

Earl and Marilyn always believed in giving back to their community and instilled this belief in their children and grandchildren. Earl was still fundraising at the age of 94 to bring the Omaha Symphony to Norfolk in December 2025. Earl was very proud of his three children and their accomplishments. He was equally proud of his seven grandchildren, with whom he imparted kindness, compassion, and encouragement. He appreciated their individual talents and took great interest in their lives, hoping to impart meaningful life lessons along the way. Earl considered his great-grandsons a special gift, and he delighted in watching them grow.

Earl is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn; children, Robert (Rondi) Mitchell, Paula (Clark Froehlich) Pflueger, and Thomas (Marialicia) Mitchell; grandchildren, Nicholas Mitchell, Morgan (Kevin) Shnorbach, Chase (Katie) Pflueger, Justin (Alice) Pflueger, Paige Pflueger, Derrek (Jenna) Mitchell and Robert Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Cael, Colin, Austin, and Morgan Pflueger; niece, Marsha (Bary) Caranci and the families of his niece and nephew, brother-in-law Richard (Jeanne) Paul and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob Mitchell; nephew, Doug Mitchell; and granddaughter, Amanda Smith Mitchell.

In lieu of flowers, Earl would wish for memorials to be given to the Norfolk Arts Center Endowment.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.homeforfuneralsinc.com.

Home for Funerals

Norfolk, Nebraska