Mitchell N. Hale, Sr.

Mitchell N. Hale, Sr., age 56, of Winona, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on September 27, 1967, in Winona, MN to Nathan Sr. and Elinor (Kahle) Hale.

Mitch was baptized and confirmed at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, where he was an acolyte for several years.  He attended St. Martin’s Lutheran School and then WSHS. He was in the U.S. Army Reserves for several years.  Over the years he was employed at Gorman’s Foundry, Badger Foundry, Peerless Chain, along with bartending at a few local neighborhood establishments.  Most recently, he was employed at Hal Leonard for over 15 years, until doctors said he could no longer work.

Mitch was an avid MN Vikings, Twins, and Wild fan, attending a few games over the years. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends attending Alabama concerts, bowling, deer hunting, fishing, shooting in dart league and tournaments, playing cribbage, or just hanging out. He always appreciated seeing extended family at the numerous Hale family reunions and gatherings he attended for many years.  In the past few years, he looked forward to spending camping weekends with the Kahle cousins and especially the Viking-Packer parties every year!  Mitch will fondly be remembered for his “Mountain Music” dance and was delighted when his niece, Katrina started following in his footsteps and was dancing right beside him!

In 2016, Mitch finally married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Jan Fritz, after reuniting a couple years prior.  Mitch loved their time together especially on their trips they took down south and out east to visit family members.

Mitch is survived by his loving and supportive wife: Jan (Fritz) Hale; son: Jeff Welch; daughter: Victoria Hale; step-daughter: Hope Stremcha; step-son: Joshua (Jenna) Stremcha; 2 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren; sisters: Monica (Tom) Konkel, Vicky Krohnfeldt, Cathy Dehning; brothers: Nate Jr, Michael, and Marshall Hale; Matthew (Sara) Pientok; father-in-law: LaVern Fritz; in-laws: Chris, Kim, Lyn, and Scott; 16 nieces and nephews: Katrina, Kylie(his Goddaughter), Ethan, Lillian, Tiffany, Nathan III, Nikki, Josh, Michael, Nicholas, Dillon, Kaitlyn, Sam, Alex, Shanna, and Elizabeth; Aunts: Dorothy Henderson, and Nancy Diederich; numerous cousins, some who were more like siblings:  Robin, Becky, Bobby, and Jody; close family friends:  Sue Pientok, Darrel Woolley, Jeff Schueler; and so many more family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Elinor Tietz and Nathan Hale Sr.; sons: Mitchell Jr. and Christopher Hale; aunts, uncles, mother-in-law: Jaye Fritz; and close cousin: Joseph Kahle.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 PM until the funeral service at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 East Sarnia St., Winona.  

 Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.   Luncheon to follow at East Side Bar, Winona.

 ‘It isn’t winning if you are in remission or losing if you die.   It is that you have given it your all in this fight, and you are a winner for even fighting at all.’