Joan Axtell

Joan Elizabeth Tate Axtell of Corvallis passed away at the age of 83 on July 29, 2026 due to complication from a stroke. She was born July 25, 1943 to Maurice Milton Tate and Patricia Frances Lindsay Tate.

Joan was always a strong and caring soul from a young age. At 8 years old both of her parents passed away within 2 months of each other. Joan and her 2 sisters Lauretta and Betty Buryle were raised by their Aunt Lauretta up Sleeping Child. She had many fond memories of growing up on the farm with her Aunt and Sisters.

Joan worked several jobs throughout her working years. One of her most talked about was the Sapphire Real Estate office working there in the late 60's & early 70's. Joan left the real estate office and married Russell Eugene Axtell on February 27, 1974. Together they raised 5 children. Joan joined Russ working alongside him in their custom haying business and running a dairy up Hamilton Heights. After leaving the dairy, mom became a clerk at a few convenience stores all while working alongside Russ in the hayfield. Mom enjoyed working, retiring from her last job as a front desk clerk at the City Center Motel just shy of her 80th Birthday.

Mom enjoyed her yearly weeklong pack trips to several of the mountain lakes in her younger adult years. The more kids and grandkids that could go along made it more special for her. As she got older she enjoyed camp trips to several Bitterroot and Bighole Valley campgrounds and when her great grandkids could join her she would be absolutely elated.

Mom always looked forward to her vacations traveling out of state with 2 of her daughters Rande and Buryle. Some of her favorite trips were traveling to Colorado to visit sister-in-law, Polly and to Florida visiting her nephew, Wade and niece, Rett and their families.

Joan was preceded in death by husband Russell; parents, Maurice and Patricia; Aunt Lauretta, sisters, Lauretta and Betty Buryle; son-in-law, Randy; and nephew, Wade.

Survivors include children Rande, Maurice (Susan), David (Kelli), Patty (Rooster) and Buryle (Jerry); grandchildren, Maurice (Sarah), Candace, Fred, Gregor, Dillon (Hilery), Shawn, JW, Paul, Sarah, and Austin; 12 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and other family members as well as dogs, Ringo and Duke.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Daly-Leach Chapel with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.