Mitchell Dean Ummel

Mitchell Dean Ummel, 53, of Vassar, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at his home. He was born April 1, 1960 in Ransom, KS, to Lyle and Mary Lou Downing Ummel. He attended school in the Ransom School District. He was a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science and was a graduate of the Kauffman Institute. Mitchell moved to Topeka where he was employed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) where he held various Information Technology positions. He rose to the position of the Chief Information Technology Officer at KDHE prior to leaving government service to work for Westar Energy as a Senior Information Technology Executive. He was the Founder and President of UmmelGroup International offering Information Technology management consulting, staffing and training services. Mitchell also served as Director of Cutter's Government & Public Sector practice.

Mitchell lived at Lake Pomona and enjoyed working on his lake house with his family. Mitchell was a bicyclist, water skier, snow skier, and loved fishing. He was an avid runner and a member of the Sunflower Striders where he enjoyed running with his friends. Mitchell had competed in the Chicago Marathon, 200 mile relay events, and numerous other running and bicyclist competitions.

Mitchell will always be remembered as a leader and a kind and caring individual who always lived his life to the fullest. He was a very compassionate person who was always willing to help other people.

The loves of his life were his two children, Jenna Ummel, 19 and Harrison Ummel, 17 of Topeka and his significant other, Cheryl Haefele of Topeka. Also surviving are his parents, Lyle and Mary Lou Ummel of Ransom, his sister, Kelle (Ummel) Schniepp and husband, Charles of Bazine, KS, brothers Mark and wife, Michelle Ummel of rural Burlingame, KS, and Jeb Ummel of Overland Park, KS and niece, Kelsee and nephew, Garrett and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lloyd and Mildred (Green) Ummel of Ransom, KS and Wilkins and Mildred (Murphy) Downing of Pratt, KS.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2013 at the Ransom United Methodist Church in Ransom, KS. Inurnment will follow in Ransom Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2013 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the KSU Cancer Center, 1 Chalmers Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 or to the Autism Society, 4340 East West Hwy Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814.