When Opal Viola Kaminsky was born in Walnut Creek, Webster County, Nebraska, on 25 Jan 1930, her father, Loyd Absalom Kaminsky was 34 and her mother, Ora Viola Shuck was 31. After the drought that followed the Great Depression in the 1930’s, the family left Nebraska to find a better life. They first settled in the Wenatchee Valley of Washington State, and then in 1939, they moved to Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington. When she later wrote about her life, she said, "A family named Mitchell also came to Ellensburg from Nebraska. I'm glad they did as they had a tall, good-looking son, 3 years older than I. During high school, I ice skated in the winter on Tjossem Pond and had lots of parties and fun with our young people's group at church. During World War II, we were encouraged to write our servicemen, so guess who I wrote to most often?—Vernon C Mitchell. I had a crush on him for 2 or 3 years. When I received more letters than his mother, I thought I had made progress."

Opal completed high school in Ellensburg and immediately found work at Washington National Bank. In Sep 1948, at age 18, Opal Kaminsky and Vern Mitchell were married, and they were blessed with six children. In 1961, they purchased Midstate Aviation at the Ellensburg airport where they offered the services of air charter, crop dusting, flight instruction, fuel and maintenance. Her husband died unexpectedly on 18 May 1980, when the crop duster plane he was piloting accidentally flew into high-voltage electrical lines that were obstructed by heavy ash in the air from the Mount Saint Helens' eruption that occurred earlier that morning. Following his death, Opal never remarried. Instead, she devoted herself to her family and her work at the airport. She sold the company to her only son Ron Mitchell, who still owns the fixed-base operation there today. During the years that followed Vern's death, she continued to remain active in the business and was instrumental in its growth. At its peak, Midstate Avaition became the largest flight school in the Northwest and trained many of the commercial pilots currently flying today.

Along with her amazing love for her family, she cherished the beautiful friends who came alongside her after Vern's death. Opal also served in several ministries at her church, which is now called Mercer Creek. Over the years she served as an assistant in the church library, the assistant treasurer and one of the volunteers responsible for counting the offering. She enjoyed participating in many Bible studies, her fellowship and support of other members in T.O.P.S., and serving on the board of the Christian Women's Club. She co-founded a Christian singles group with Kathy Grapes and was a member of the founding board of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Kittitas County. Throughout her life, Opal remained passionate about supporting global missions, in part because family members from both her side and Vern's served in mission fields. She invested in these various ministries out of her love of her Lord and as an outpouring of gratitude for what He'd done in her life. Her final days were spent reminding her family and friends of her love for them and God's purpose in their lives. One of her final messages, that she'd somehow forgotten in the years that passed between losing her husband and being diagnosed with Parkinson's, was to rejoice in all circumstances. She dedicated herself in her last week to reminding her family of the grace we've been given and the love we get to experience.

With her family by her side, she died at the age of 87 on 1 Mar 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Vera Lucile Kaminsky Taylor, and brothers Paul Kaminsky, Robert Kaminsky and Harold Kaminsky. She is survived by her son Ron (Sonja) Mitchell; daughters Donna Mitchell (Ed) Hobart, Sharon Mitchell (Don) Hegarty, Marlene Mitchell (Lyle) Pfeifer, Julie Mitchell (Greg) Fischer, and Lynette Mitchell (Bill) Arnold; grandchildren and their spouses; great-grandchildren (+2 on the way); and many close friends who were dear to her. She leaves a legacy of 63 family members.

A memorial in celebration of Opal's life occurred on 10 Mar 2017 at Mercer Creek Church located at 1407 North B St in Ellensburg WA 98926. A family graveside service was held at High Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to either—1) Care Net, PO Box 740, Ellensburg WA 98926; or 2) Hospice Friends, 302 S Main St, Ellensburg WA 98926-3611.

~some notes from Ellensburg Daily Record