Joan Dorothy Martell

Joan Dorothy (Read) Martell, age 87, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Nelson Gables Assisted Living in Alexandria, Minnesota. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Home with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at 3:00 PM at Evergreen Cemetery in Alexandria, Minnesota. 

Joan was born on July 16, 1939, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to William and Ella (Tiedje) Read. Her family moved several times throughout her childhood, and she graduated from high school in Milbank, South Dakota. It was there that she met Alvan Roy Martell. The couple was married on May 26, 1957, and moved to Alexandria, Minnesota, in 1962.

After moving to Alexandria, Joan and Roy joined Zion Lutheran Church, where Joan was an active member of the LWML and served on the Alter Guild and Women's Fellowship. Joan enjoyed spending time fishing and bird watching with Roy, planting flowers, baking, and sewing.

Joan was a devoted wife and mother who spent much of her time caring for her family as a homemaker. She also worked as a food server at several restaurants in Alexandria and the surrounding communities. Joan and Roy raised three children: Tony, born in 1957; Tammy, born in 1960; and Troy, born in 1966.

Joan is survived by her son, Troy (Melissa) Martell; Son-in-law, Gary Tollifson; grandchildren Andrew, Alexander, Anna, and Krystal; and great-grandchildren Ayden, Aunalee, and Roy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy; her parents, William and Ella Read; her son, Tony; her daughter, Tammy; and her brothers, William and Vernon.