Trenton Axtell

Trenton Lee Axtell passed away at home on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at the age of 70.

Trent was born in Roosevelt, Uah, on April 16, 1948. A member of the 50th graduating class of Mission High School in St. Ignatius, Montana, he went on to study anthropology at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colo., and the University of the Americas in Mexico. After 18 of years of dedicated work with the U.S. Forest Service and Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake, he spent several years near Kansas City, Missouri learning the ropes of the wholesale food industry. Afterward, he returned to the Mission Valley to open his own business, Gray Squirrel Nut Company, which he owned/operated for 30 years, supplying delicious nuts throughout the Northwest.

From a very young age Trent had a love for the outdoors – sneaking out as a young child to explore, causing his mother to panic on more than one occasion with his whereabouts unknown. Throughout his life, this passion for the mountains continued to grow. All things history fascinated him, and the rustier the better – a fondness he passed down to his daughters. During his adult years, he was introduced to gold prospecting, which developed into something of an obsession. He was often found in his shop tinkering with a new sluice box or water pump system. We hope he finds a mountain in heaven, and finally strikes his “mother lode”.

He is survived by his three daughters: Niki (Howard) Kent of Soldotna, Alaska; Elizabeth (Jared) Beaird of Missoula; and Chelsea (Shane) Hensleigh of Colstrip; three sisters: Sandi (Matt) Schubert of Eugene, Ore.; Katie (Tom) Ten Eyck of Sandy, Ore.; and Sharon (Jack) Wallace of Clark Fork, Idaho; seven grandchildren: Brock, Brooke, Addison, Caleb, Parker, Cooper, and Austin; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is predeceased by his daughter, Ivy Axtell, and his mother and father, Lois and Murl Axtell.

A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, Trent requested charitable donations be made to Operation Underground Railroad at www.ourrescue.org or 755 S. Main St. #194, Cedar City, UT 84720. Foster Funeral Home and Crematory is helping with arrangements.