Elfriede R. Mitchell

Elfriede “Friede” Mitchell, born Elfriede Kolwe, passed away on April 23, 2026, at the age of 85. She most recently resided in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and was formerly of Midlothian, Virginia, and Amsterdam, New York.

Friede was born on July 29, 1940, in a small village in East Prussia, the youngest of five children of Walter and Margarete Kolwe. She grew up alongside her siblings—Erika, Greta, Erik, and Erma—in a time marked by uncertainty and hardship.

When Friede was just a few months old, her family fled East Prussia during World War II. In a journey that would shape the rest of her life, they walked for months through bitter cold, often seeking shelter in abandoned buildings before continuing on the next day. That experience forged in her a resilience and determination that never left her.

After emigrating to the United States in 1962, Friede met the love of her life, Kevin Mitchell, and they were married on June 13, 1969. Together they built a life and raised their family in Amsterdam, New York. After Kevin’s passing just a few years into their marriage, Friede faced the challenge of moving forward on her own. With strength and determination, she raised her children while owning and operating her bar, Fraulein’s, as well as her own cleaning business, becoming a well-known and familiar presence in the community.

Friede was a person who left an impression. She was known for her honesty and directness—qualities that could sometimes be hard to take, but which were always genuine. She valued loyalty, hard work, and speaking her mind. For those who knew her well, there was never any question where she stood—and no doubt about her strength of character.

She was a true workhorse, happiest when she was outside tending to her lawn and flower gardens, often spending hours making sure everything was just right. She took great pride in her home and surroundings, and she loved being outdoors—whether working in the yard, taking walks, or striking up a conversation with just about anyone willing to listen.

Above all, Friede was incredibly proud of her children and her many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her children and their partners, Kerstin Mitchell and Ron Miller, and Martin Mitchell and Greg Nevader; and her nieces and nephews, Tadeusz and Eva Dzierzek, Barbara and Melvin Harlowe, Christina and Arun Dhir, Edward and Lori Dzierzek, and Stephanie and Anthony Murphy. She was predeceased by her son, Ronald.

Friede will be remembered for her resilience, her independence, and the life she built through sheer determination. Her story—beginning with hardship and shaped by perseverance—is one to be admired. Those who knew her best understood that beneath her directness was a life shaped by strength, survival, and an unwavering sense of self.

A private celebration of Friede’s life will be held later this summer.