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Joel D. Maxwell

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Joel D. Maxwell, 68 year old resident of Burtrum, MN, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024. A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala, MN. Caring for Joel and his family was Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
Joel Dean Maxwell was born on April 24, 1956 in Ames, Iowa to the late Charles and Dorothy (Collins) Maxwell. He was united with his Life Partner, Barb Notsch on July 11, 2019 and together they made their home in Burtrum, MN. Family and time with family was a priority in his life. Joel was the owner and photographer of Max Baily Photography for well over 30 years. He loved the art of photography, the creativity, the rush of wedding photography, the challenge of school pictures. He had the eye for light and it’s attributes in pictures. Joel always made a point of keeping in contact with family and friends. His “gift of gab” was one of his most remembered attributes, as well as being a great storyteller. Joel enjoyed going to Rendezvous whenever he had a chance, and enjoyed history, experimental archeology, history re-enactment-1700’s to “mountain man” times. He loved hand-crafting wood, leather, metal, cloth and growing natural resources. He loved camping, hunting, fishing, water, woods and nature. Joel was interested in learning how to live “off grid” as a hobby. He learned to be self-sufficient and develop the values learned in Boy Scouts. He was very proud to be an Al-anon mentor and sponsor and abide by their values.
Joel is survived by his life partner, Barb Notsch of Burtrum; daughter, Sarah Maxwell of Kansas City, MO; son, Kipp (Jenny) Maxwell of Ft. Wayne, IN; grandchildren, Jack, Charlie and Wes Maxwell, Taylor Hansen and James McDowell; great-grandson, Weston Garner; brother, Bruce (Diane) Maxwell of Iowa; and his many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dorothy Maxwell; sister, Jeri Knode; and his first wife and mother of his children, Teri Whiting.
The family requests that donations should be given to Al-Anon.