Crookston - Susan Axtell, 41, died Saturday, July 26, 1997 at the United Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29 at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Crookston. Interment was in Thief River Falls. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Susan Kay Stigen was born September 27, 1955 at Thief River Falls, the daughter of Ernest and Cora (Hasby) Stigen. She graduated from Lincoln High School and later from Northland Community and Technical College as an LPN. While Sue worked as an LPN only a short while, a scholarship was established in her name because of the compassionate care she gave her patients.
In 1984, she was united in marriage to Doug Axtell at Thief River Falls. In 1986, the couple moved to Crookston where Sue was an active member of the Evangelical Covenant Church. She enjoyed crafts and taking care of children.
She is survived by her parents, Ernest and Cora Stigen of Thief River Falls; three brothers, Gordy (Fran) Hasby of Park River, ND, Greg Stigen and Lonnie Stigen of Thief River Falls; three sisters, Cherie (Kurt) Leader of Thief River Falls, Gwen Stigen of St. Hilaire, and Laurie (Terry) Fayette of Thief River Falls; a half brother, Jeff (Lavon) Lannoye of Thief River Falls; a half sister, Kathleen Kiesow of Brandon, SD; a sister-in-law, Rita Stigen of Grand Rapids; special friends, her former husband Doug Axtell of Crookston and Sylvia Jenson of Thief River Falls; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Clifton Stigen; a half brother, Nicholas Lannoye; and her grandparents.