Linda Braunstein Mitchell (Zitkadazi) passed away Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 at Clarkson Health Care in Rapid City, SD. Her two daughters, Trish and Tara, were by her side.

Linda Carol was born June 29th, 1944 in Aberdeen, SD to Phil and Jeanette (Mueller) Braunstein. She lived in the Aberdeen area most of her life. Attending Sacred Heart School until 8th grade and graduating from Aberdeen Central High School in 1962.

Linda was a lifelong learner and attended several schools to continue her education. She graduated from Stewarts School of Hairstyling in Watertown, SD, studied Art at Northern State College in Aberdeen, and studied at Long Beach State in California. It was while living in Long Beach that she learned to surf. She also took classes at the University of South Dakota through Presentation College in Aberdeen, and studied at Black Hills State while living in Rapid City, SD.

In 1969 Linda married Dennis D. Mitchell and moved to the farm near Houghton, SD. She learned the life of farming and ranching and forged many friendships that continued for decades. She became a 4H leader of the "Clever Clovers" and judged at the Brown County Fair. She helped start the" Town and County Cowbells" to promote beef and hosted many card clubs. Linda and Dennis invited foreign exchange student Guillermo Medrano Acuña, from Mexico into their home and later welcomed twin daughters to their union.

After their divorce in 1981, Linda embarked on her next adventure when she moved back to Aberdeen. It was during this time she had a 16-year career at KSDN radio, became a black belt and taught karate, enjoyed hunting around the Aberdeen area, fishing at the river, and met the Ross family. Linda was adopted into the Flandreau Sante Sioux Tribe by Harvey and Agnes Ross. She was given the name Zitkadazi. She cultivated more friendships during these years that lasted a lifetime.

After raising her two girls, Trish and Tara, she began the second half of her life by moving to Rapid City. It was always her dream to live in the Black Hills of SD. She made deep connections and created even more friendships she valued the rest of her life. She started this chapter as manager of Pacific Wave, but Linda found her passion and her people working at Reptile Gardens for over 26 years. Her best times were spent in the Jungle Outpost, educating visitors about the tribes and artifacts of Papua New Guinea. To say Linda loved what she did is an understatement. She thought of Reptile Gardens as family and remained there up until her death.

In Linda's free time she busied herself spending time with friends and family. She loved to eat, drink, and be merry. Meeting up for dinner or a drink with friends was a favorite way to pass the time. She loved visiting her sister Susan and her dogs, especially her "soul" dog Skyler. She enjoyed traveling back to Aberdeen to reconnect with friends and rest and relax on the farm with Trish and her husband Trent, who was known as Linda's "buddy". She spent time with Tara and her husband Troy celebrating two of the greatest joys in her life, her granddaughters McKenna and Taylor. Whether she was cheering them on from the sidelines of a basketball or softball game, or attending a dance recital, vocal concert, or science fair, she was one of their proudest supporters and biggest fans.

Linda will be remembered for her quirky sense of humor, her ability to make people laugh, her passion for Papua New Guinea artifacts, how much she loved her friends and family, and her effort to reach across racial boundaries. She wanted young people to believe in their dreams as she was a living example of this.

Grateful for having shared Linda's life are her twin daughters, Trish (Trent) Rodahl and Tara (Troy) Ihde. Her two granddaughters, McKenna and Taylor Ihde. Her sisters Susan Braunstein and Anita Braunstein. Her four brothers Hepi Ross, Ken Ross, Allen Ross, and Jim Bill Ross, and her sister Janet Claymore Ross, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Phil and Jeanette Braunstein and Harvey and Agnes Ross.

A memorial has been established for a bench at Reptile Gardens, dedicated in Linda's honor.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with a Christian Wake Service at 7:00 p.m.

Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024 at St. Isaac Jogues.

Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Spitzer Miller Funeral Home in Aberdeen.

Interment to follow at St Mary's Cemetery in Aberdeen.