Ingrid Vallo MITCHELL

1922 - 2015

March 2, 1922 - May 22, 2015 Ingrid Vallo Mitchell was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota raised by her mother Barbara who immigrated from Norway. The former Miss Minnesota just celebrated her 71st wedding anniversary with her husband Paul. Theirs was a storybook marriage. Paul wants everyone to know how much he loves Ingrid. The couple met on a lake in Minnesota and were both students of University of Minnesota. Paul was an All American football player and captain of the team and Ingrid became one of the first female cheerleaders at UM. Ingrid went to New York and signed with the John Powers model agency and became a pin up girl overnight after her pictures appeared in Newsweek in 1942. In response to scores of requests from servicemen, the New York newspaper PM reprinted the pictures of Ingrid. The Minneapolis Star Journal and Tribune did a follow up story of Ingrid with even more pictures. Ingrid traveled with Paul around the states during his 8 years playing pro football for the New York Yankees, the Yanks, the LA Dons and the Washington Redskins. After football.. Paul worked for many years with the Garrett corporation as their Vice President. Ingrid enjoyed raising three children in the Palos Verdes area. She was involved in a variety of organizations. She was on the board of Vesterheim Museum and the Scandinavian Art foundation. She was a member of the National Charity League and part of the Blue Ribbon Committee of the music center and the founder of the Pet Protectors league. For many years Ingrid shared her beautiful flowers and orchids while working on the flower committee at her Christian Science church. Paul and Ingrid enjoyed getting back to Minnesota when Paul was honored as a member of the University's Hall of Fame and Ingrid received a Varsity letter. Ingrid was very proud of her Norwegian Heritage and sponsored several bronze busts of the late King Olav V of Norway. She and Paul donated one to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and another to Vesterheim Norwegian-American museum in Decorah, Iowa. They were honored to have met the King several times including a private audience with him in Norway. Ingrid and Paul had the pleasure of meeting several presidents including President Reagan, President Bush and President Clinton. Ingrid is survived by her 94 year old husband Paul. Her sons Paul Jr. and Eric. Her daughter and son in law Heidi and Dan Springer of the Seattle area. Five grandchildren Matt Battcheldor, Erika Springer, Britta Springer, Katrina Springer and Mitchell Springer. Her niece Lisa Verlo and great nephew Turner. Her Norwegian relatives, Austri Hatlehol and Birgit Hatlehol and Chris Verlo. Also, Melanie Eardley Browoleit, Dr. Ulrika Skansen Saphir, and Lisa Wilson.