Helen Lydia (Riffel) Mitchell

Helen Lydia Mitchell (née Riffel)

August 4, 1935 – October 19, 2025

Medicine Hat, Alberta

With love and gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Helen Lydia Mitchell (née Riffel) announces her peaceful passing on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, at the age of 90.

Helen was born on August 4, 1935, in Runnymede, Saskatchewan, to Fred and Lydia Riffel. She was the middle child of five siblings — Rudy, Eddie, Lawrence, and Betty. Her prairie upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic, deep family values, and the quiet determination that carried her through life’s challenges.

On July 24, 1954, Helen married Lewis Whiting of Carnduff, Saskatchewan, in Runnymede. Together they moved to Carnduff, where they built a home and raised five children — Debbie, Barb, Mark, Brent, and Brian. Their years together were filled with love, laughter, and hard work until Lewis’s tragic passing in 1966.

In the years that followed, Helen devoted herself to her family and her work at Sunset Haven in Carnduff, where she cared for residents for nearly two decades. Her dedication and strength reflected the deep compassion she carried for others.

In 1991, Helen married Wilfred (Wilf) Mitchell, beginning a later chapter of life marked by companionship, laughter, and shared love for family. They enjoyed many good years together until Wilf’s passing in 2017.

Helen was known for her love of baking and gardening. She took great pride in her flowers and found joy in sharing her garden’s beauty with others. She faced life’s hardships with grace and perseverance, always putting her family first.

Helen was predeceased by her first husband, Lewis Whiting (1966); her son, Mark Whiting (1977); her second husband, Wilf Mitchell (2017); granddaughters, April Hellman (Whiting) and Eliza Mitchell; parents, Fred and Lydia Riffel; and siblings, Rudy, Eddie and Betty.

She is survived by her children and their families:

Deb (Ken) Styre – Chad (Megan) Styre (Adrian, Spencer, Peyton) and Shawn Styre (Dylan, Natalie).

Barb Whiting – Greg (Hiroko) Whiting (Quinton) and Shaundra Whiting (Shae-Lynn).

Brent (Rhonda) Whiting – Tara Whiting (Sierra, Nevin) and Troy Hellman (Patience, Zarrah).

Brian (Linda) Whiting – Monica (Jock) Sutter (Karissa, Daylan, Koden) and Braden (Tina) Whiting (Kynlee, Hixsen).

Allen (Wendy) Mitchell and Angela (Peter) Strickland – grandchildren Kelsey (David) Daku and Jessica (Kevin) Livingston. Mavric and Zara.

Helen will be laid to rest beside her husband, Wilf Mitchell, in Roblin Cemetery, near the Saskatchewan–Manitoba border.

Her love, strength, and devotion to family will be remembered forever by all who knew her.

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