Fern Ridge Review
Creswell Chronicle
Sweet Lorane Community News
December 21, 2017
By Pat Edwards

The community of Lorane has lost one of its most beloved residents—Dennis Mitchell— this past week. His death impacts the whole community. The Mitchell family goes back several generations in Lorane. Each of them—Dennis and Lorena, especially—have made an impact over the years. They have both been long-time community members who have helped bond the families in the area into a true “community.” Dennis was not only an astute businessman and logger, he was caring, active and respected throughout his life. He served for 15 years on the Lorane and the Crow-Applegate-Lorane school boards and was an active member of the Oregon Loggers’ Association which named him “Oregon’s Logger of the Year” in 2002.

He and Lorena were married for 67 years.

Some of the comments posted to the Lorane Facebook page include:

• “He was a very nice man who always waved at us in passing. What a loss for sure.”
  “Blessings to the Mitchell family during this difficult time. He’s sawing logs with the angels.”
• “He had a great impact on so many.”
• “Dennis Mitchell and Joe Brewer where the first two neighbor’s my wife and I met when we moved to Lorane. Both were caring people and now both are gone. A personal loss as well as a loss for the community. Godspeed, Dennis, and thank you for being so kind.”
• “I remember him taking his left hand off the wheel and pointing off into space with his little stoic grin as he drove by my mom’s farm when I was a kid… every single time. Definitely will be missed.”
• “The hello waves were a constant. His presence and influence in the area is a blessing that will not fade.”

Dennis will definitely be missed, and Jim’s and my sincere condolences go out to Lorena and the rest of the Mitchell family at this time.

Happy New Year to all! Best wishes for a bright future as individuals, our communities, our country and our world!

A Little Bit of Lorane’s History: (written in 2006)
“In 1942, Charlie and Lucille (Mitchell) bought the ranch belonging to her father, Ed Addison, and later bought the land adjoining it to the southeast. Charlie raised sheep and registered Hereford cattle on the ranches. In the 1940s, he began logging for himself, eventually going into partnership with his son, Dennis. Charlie and Lucille had three sons, Dennis, Gary Addison and Russell D. Mitchell.

“Dennis married Lorena Tew and they had four children, Bob, Debra, Lloyd and Carol. Two of them still reside in Lorane. Bob Mitchell and his wife Emily had two children, Cory, who works in the logging business with his dad, and Callie. Lloyd also makes his home in Lorane on the Mitchell farm, as does Bob and Emily.

“Dennis and Lorena’s two daughters have moved from the area. Debra lives in Anchorage, Alaska, and Carol resides in Cottage Grove where she runs The Flower Basket floral business that she owns jointly with her mother.

“After Charlie’s death in 1970, Dennis bought out his father’s share of the business and is still running the logging operation in partnership with Bob and Lloyd.”

From Sawdust and Cider to Wine (2006) by Pat Edwards