Sug Axtell

Emma Von “Sug” Axtell went to be with the Lord at the age of 94 on October 26, 2016, in Grants Pass, Oregon.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 6, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at River Valley Church-Downtown Campus, 405 NE 6th Street, Grants Pass.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to: Axtell Scholarship Fund, Rogue Community College Foundation, 3345 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass, OR 97527.

Emma Von was born to Roy & Epsie (Roberson) Siebert on August 10, 1922, in Sadler, Texas. Called “Sugar” by her father, the nickname stuck for life though generally shortened to “Sug”. She grew up on the family farm, and graduated from Sadler High School, valedictorian of her class of 21 students.

Sug met Mark Axtell of Grants Pass on a bus in 1942 in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was serving in the U. S. Army Air Corps. They were married the following Valentine’s Day in Sadler, Texas, and shared more than 66 years together before his death in 2009. The couple bought a home in Grants Pass in 1945 before Mark’s discharge and Sug still lived in the remodeled and enlarged house at the time of her death.

Sug was a long time member of First Baptist Church (now River Valley Church) where she taught Sunday School, was active in youth and women’s work, and served on the Finance Committee. More recently, she was an active member of Dayspring Baptist Church, and attended the Community Bible Study Group from its beginning until the time of her death.

Sug was a founding member of the Pacemakers Senior Adult Choir. She thoroughly enjoyed singing for over 35 years in the local area, on the group’s many tours, and especially for “the old people”, many of whom were actually younger than herself!

Over the years, Sug and Mark were active in many community groups including PTA, Boy Scouts, Rogue Dine & Discover (previously Knife & Fork Club), Parkinson’s Support Group, and were long time supporters of the Barnstormers.

Sug will be greatly missed by son Darrell (Maureen) Axtell of Olympia, Washington; son John Axtell of Chadron, Nebraska; daughter Mary (Roy) Fash of Highland Heights, Ohio; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; brother Steve (Glenda) Siebert of Grants Pass; sister Florence (late Charles) Gregory of New Waverly, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.