John Mitchell

1960 - 2026

John Mitchell

July 17, 1960 - February 11, 2026

John Michael Mitchell was born July 17, 1960, in Seneca, KS, to Harold and JoAnn (Gudenkauf) Mitchell. John grew up in Seneca and attended Saints Peter and Paul grade and middle schools and graduated from Nemaha Valley High School with the class of 1978. Following high school, John joined the Navy, where he spent three years on active duty as a Construction Electrician (CE) in the Navy Seabees. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to Seneca to work with his father and two brothers, Jim and Joe, in the family electrical contracting business, Mitchell Electric.

With some encouragement from his high school classmates that were attending the University of Kansas, John decided to move from Seneca and enroll at KU. After four years of study, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation from KU, John accepted a position as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This job required relocations from Lawrence, KS, to Montgomery, AL; Chicago, IL, and Omaha, NE. After 23 years on the job, John retired.

In retirement, John accepted a job at Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) as a Senior Nuclear Design Engineer at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant. After 12 years of service, John retired…again.

John was married to Pamela (nee Lantz) Mitchell for 34 years and together raised their two children, Erin and Matthew. Following an amicable divorce in 2020, they remained friends. John was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren, with their art and mementos displayed prominently in his home. He was an incredible storyteller, avid reader, and daily runner. In 2024, he met Jamie Hoeft, and the two shared many joyful moments together. He had traveled the world, but his favorite place was to be at home, reading the newspaper and drinking a Pepsi.

John was a licensed Professional Engineer, licensed Electrical Contractor, Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP-ISSMP), and Amateur Extra ham radio operator (NØFBI).

John passed unexpectedly from a heart attack on February 11, 2026. He is preceded in death by his father, Harold. John is survived by his daughter, Erin, her husband, Chase, and their children, Elle and Logan; son, Matthew, and his partner, Bianca; mother, JoAnn Mitchell; brothers, Jim and Joe (Debbie); sisters, Janice (James) Palmer and Mary (Todd) Ewers; ex-wife, Pamela Mitchell; and girlfriend, Jamie Hoeft.

VISITATION: Friday, February 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Roeder Mortuary in Gretna, SERVICE: Saturday, February 28, at 10 a.m. at Roeder Mortuary in Gretna.

Roeder Mortuary

11710 Standing Stone Dr. 402-332-0090

www.RoederMortuary.com