Minnie Bell Mittelstedt

Minnie "Laura" Bell Mittelstedt was born in Century, Florida, on August 12, 1932, to proud parents Robert Curtis and Ruthie Mozell (Wall) Bell. Laura lived a remarkable and profound life for ninety-four years before passing peacefully at her home in Normangee, Texas, on September 30, 2026.

Laura grew up in Flomaton, Alabama, and later moved to Pasadena, Texas, where she met the love of her life, William Edwin “Billy” Mittelstedt. They shared forty-two years of marriage, building a life together filled with hard work, adventure, laughter, and family. Laura welcomed Billy’s two sons, Paul and Eddie, into her life and helped raise them.

Laura and Billy were true partners in life. They worked hard, played hard, and built a life that was uniquely theirs. Early in their relationship, they competed in fishing tournaments and brought home countless trophies. Laura always seemed to catch the bigger fish, and she was incredibly proud of it. She never missed an opportunity to remind everyone of her fishing victories, proudly displaying her trophies in the living room.

Together, Laura and Billy eventually made their way to Normangee, Texas, in 1990, where they built and worked their cattle ranch together. The ranch became a special part of their lives and a place where Laura poured her heart, strength, and determination into the life they had created. They shared the work, the challenges, and the rewards that came with ranch life.

As Billy’s health declined from cancer, Laura remained faithfully by his side and cared for him throughout his illness. She stood beside him with the same strength, devotion, and fierce love that defined so much of who she was. Their forty-two years together were a testament to a life, built side by side, through the good times and the difficult ones, and the memories they created together remained a cherished part of Laura’s life.

After Billy’s passing, Laura was blessed to share another meaningful chapter of her life with her later-in-life companion, Sydney “LaRoy” Scott. Laura and LaRoy spent eleven wonderful years together, sharing companionship, laughter, adventures, and many cherished memories.

Laura was a hardworking woman who worked tirelessly at the light company and several refineries. She became a pillar of her local community, working at the Madisonville Courthouse and even running for County Commissioner. After retirement, Laura's passion was raising cattle and caring for the ranch she and Billy had built together.

Laura was stubbornly independent, strong, passionate, admirable, and fiercely loving. She had an astounding sense of humor and a personality that could never be forgotten. She was a risk-taker and a daredevil who wanted to experience everything life had to offer. If you had done something, Laura wanted to do it too—or she had probably already done it. She believed she could do just about anything herself, and she was determined to prove it. Laura was a force.

She loved going to the casinos and playing the slot machines, and somehow, she always seemed to be lucky. She absolutely loved to cut a rug and do the jitter bug. She loved fiercely and spoke proudly of her girls, her granddaughters, Misty and Angela. If you knew Laura, you were blessed, and if Laura loved you, there was never any question about it—you knew it. Laura was unforgettable. She was one of a kind. She was strong, spirited, fiercely independent, quick-witted, and full of life.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Curtis and Ruthie Mozell Bell; her husband, William “Billy” Mittelstedt; her later-life companion, Sydney “LaRoy” Scott; her brother, Robert Stevens Bell; and her son, Eddie Mittelstedt.

Left to cherish Laura’s memory are her son, Paul Mittelstedt; granddaughters, Misty Ann Blythe (Michael) and Angela Street (Jonathan); grandson, Joseph Mittelstedt; great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Mittelstedt; sister-in-law, Jeanette Naumann; niece, Anita Marie Bell Smith (Charles); great-nephews, Justin Smith and Michael Bell (Erin); chosen sister, Joyce Smith; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

A funeral service for Laura, officiated by pastor Joshua Price, will be held in the chapel of the Madisonville Funeral Home on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 12 P.M. followed by burial in the Plainview Cemetery in Normangee, Texas. Visitation will take place at the funeral home one hour before the service.

Laura leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories, laughter, and a legacy of love that will continue through the generations. She lived life on her own terms, loved with her whole heart, and left an unforgettable mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Final arrangements for Minnie "Laura" Bell Mittelstedt are under the compassionate care and direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.