Beverly Nelson was born on February 23, 1928 at Sisseton, SD to Herbert and Gertrude (Smith) Nelson. This is the area she grew up and graduated in 1946 from Sisseton High School. She moved to Watertown where she attended beauty school. Shortly after graduating from beauty school, she met and married Roger Hanson, in 1947, at Webster, where they made there home and Beverly worked at Mary's Beauty Salon. In 1949, Roger and Beverly moved to Seattle. Together they had three children.

In 1971, she married George Axtell at Bellingham, Washington where they made their home and Beverly then worked in real estate. George died in 1975, and shortly thereafter Beverly moved to Gillette, WY and later to Rapid City followed by a move to Aberdeen in 1994.

Beverly died Friday, April 4 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital.

Beverly loved to travel; Hawaii and Branson were her favorites. She was an avid reader with a great sense of humor. She loved Storybook Land with her grandchildren, flowers, gardening, and baking, especially for family and friends. She will be missed by her children, her many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared Beverly's life are her children, Gary (Dennie) Hanson, Hot Springs, SD; Deb O'Donnell (Tim Conraads), Aberdeen; Linda (Harry) Moffett, Oregon; grandchildren, Carey (Todd) Agena; Jenny (Shannon) Merriman; Joe Hanson; Brendan Dean; Mary Vance; Mike (Tami) Saylor; Joey O'Donnell; Amy (Patrick) McCarty; Heather (Andrew) Cantrall; great-grandchildren, Tyler Vance; Ashley Vance; Kelsey Saylor; Trevor Saylor; Jennifer Agena; Zachary Agena; Alex McCarty; Leah McCarty; Nicholas McCarty; Shawn McCarty; brothers, Denny (Marilyn) Nelson; Dick (Mary) Nelson, MN; and Paul Nelson, NV.

She is preceded in death by her parents.
The service for Beverly Axtell, 80, of Aberdeen, will be Thursday, April 10, 2008 at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home with Pastor Jon Damaska.