Frank E. Mitchell of Pakan 

A newspaper clipping from an unknown source reads:

Funeral services were held recently for Francis E. (Frank) Mitchell, 82, resident of Pakan for the last 75 years.

Mr. Mitchell farmed in the Pakan - Smoky Lake district for 36 years, during which time he served on the Pakan School Board for 20 years and on the council for the Municipal district of Smoky Lake for a term. He was a dominion government land appraiser for several years.

He was the son of a Hudson's Bay store operator who moved to Smoky Lake from Regina in 1899.

His activity in community affairs prompted him to become a member of Ducks Unlimited in 1948 and in 1954 he became a director of the Waskatenau-Warspite-Smoky Lake Fish and Game Association. He was elevated to the presidency two years later, a position he held until just recently.

During his term of office he was instrumental in the promotion of local fish derbies and the local development of parks in the area.

Following his retirement at the age of 70, Mr. Mitchell assembled many artifacts from the surrounding areas and houses them in the old original log house on the Pakan farm which he called Fort Victoria Museum. He also published a book titled A History of Pioneering in the Pakan District. 

Surviving are three sons, Harold, of Pakan; Walter, of Edmonton, and Francis, of Fort McMurray, and five daughters, Mrs. Bill (Verona) Wonnacott, of Winnipeg; Mrs. Stan (Ethel) Nunn, of Calgary; Mrs. Merv (Elsie) Rodberg, of Surrey, B.C.; Mrs. Jack (Irene) Wooley, of Camrose, and Mrs. Al. (Marg.) Johnstone, of Richmonds, B.C. There are 18 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and a brother Gordon, in Edmonton. 

This picture, showing the Pakan Football Team, 1913 was submitted by Harold Mitchell. Frank Mitchell is sitting in the center, in white. Thank you Harold for making your pictures, and all the newspaper clippings  available!