Joanne Nettleton Dean, age 94, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, in Everett, Washington. Her long and full life was marked by a deep love for nature, family, and community.
Born on February 11, 1931, in Yakima, Washington, to Edwin and Pearl Nettleton, Joanne "Jo" Nettleton's early years were shaped by her father’s work as a civil engineer with the Washington State Department of Transportation. His bridge construction projects took the family across the state—from Yakima to Dayton, Walla Walla, Yakima again, Ellensburg, and Walla Walla again, where Jo began elementary school. The family continued to move frequently, living in Cathlamet and later Woodland before settling in Longview during World War II. There, she attended junior high and graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1949. During this time, she began calling herself Jo, because she was one of three girls in her class named Joanne.
That fall, Jo enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle. After completing three years of study, she married Lawrence “Larry” Dean on June 22, 1952. Their union spanned more than 73 years—a testament to enduring love and partnership.
Jo is survived by her beloved husband Larry and their three children: Douglas (Sue) of Spokane; Stephen (Nancy) of Stanwood; and Kathy Randall of Eugene. She was a devoted grandmother to five: Kimberly Randall (Keith Miller) of Eugene; Kelly Dover (Devon) of Prineville; Aileen Allen (Ben) of Spokane; Leon Dean (Rebecca) of Minneapolis; and Megan Rice (Anthony) of Spokane. Her legacy continues through eight great-grandchildren: Ian, Emmett, Audry, and Oliver Allen of Spokane; Cooper Dover of Prineville; Natalie and Elliott Dean of Minneapolis; and Luella Rice of Spokane.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Norma who died shortly after birth and Patricia “Pat” Rankin.
Jo’s life was deeply rooted in the natural world. She found joy and renewal in hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing, and canoeing—especially in the alpine zones of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. These wild places were her sanctuary. She said she felt near God in the forest. Among heather meadows and rugged peaks, she would often pause to sketch wildflowers, capturing their fleeting beauty with quiet reverence. She had a keen interest in birds and especially enjoyed birding with her family. Jo was always ready to take her family for a hike, and among her legacies is having passed on her love of the outdoors to her children and grandchildren.
A steadfast presence in her family’s life, Jo gave unconditional love to Larry and their children. Calm and supportive, she was a rock upon whom all could depend—the very embodiment of grace under pressure. As a mother and homemaker, she created a home filled with warmth and stability.
Jo also gave generously to her community. She led Brownie troops, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts with enthusiasm and care—roles she embraced wholeheartedly. For many years she served as a hike leader for the Ptarmigan outdoor club based in Vancouver, sharing her passion for the outdoors with others.
Her love for gardening brought her great satisfaction; time spent planting and weeding in her yard was both meditative and joyful. A lifelong reader with a keen intellect, Jo read local newspapers daily and had a particular interest in the early exploration of the American West—especially the journals of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery.
In retirement years, Jo and Larry enjoyed travelling, from Scotland and England to South America to New Zealand as well as across the U.S. and Canada. Many of their trips were interwoven with genealogical research including visits to ancestral sites.
Jo had a subtle, witty sense of humor and a true love of life.
Joanne Nettleton Dean lived a life rich with purpose, beauty, and quiet strength. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her and inspire all who cherish the natural world as she did.
Born on February 11, 1931, in Yakima, Washington, to Edwin and Pearl Nettleton, Joanne "Jo" Nettleton's early years were shaped by her father’s work as a civil engineer with the Washington State Department of Transportation. His bridge construction projects took the family across the state—from Yakima to Dayton, Walla Walla, Yakima again, Ellensburg, and Walla Walla again, where Jo began elementary school. The family continued to move frequently, living in Cathlamet and later Woodland before settling in Longview during World War II. There, she attended junior high and graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1949. During this time, she began calling herself Jo, because she was one of three girls in her class named Joanne.
That fall, Jo enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle. After completing three years of study, she married Lawrence “Larry” Dean on June 22, 1952. Their union spanned more than 73 years—a testament to enduring love and partnership.
Jo is survived by her beloved husband Larry and their three children: Douglas (Sue) of Spokane; Stephen (Nancy) of Stanwood; and Kathy Randall of Eugene. She was a devoted grandmother to five: Kimberly Randall (Keith Miller) of Eugene; Kelly Dover (Devon) of Prineville; Aileen Allen (Ben) of Spokane; Leon Dean (Rebecca) of Minneapolis; and Megan Rice (Anthony) of Spokane. Her legacy continues through eight great-grandchildren: Ian, Emmett, Audry, and Oliver Allen of Spokane; Cooper Dover of Prineville; Natalie and Elliott Dean of Minneapolis; and Luella Rice of Spokane.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Norma who died shortly after birth and Patricia “Pat” Rankin.
Jo’s life was deeply rooted in the natural world. She found joy and renewal in hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing, and canoeing—especially in the alpine zones of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. These wild places were her sanctuary. She said she felt near God in the forest. Among heather meadows and rugged peaks, she would often pause to sketch wildflowers, capturing their fleeting beauty with quiet reverence. She had a keen interest in birds and especially enjoyed birding with her family. Jo was always ready to take her family for a hike, and among her legacies is having passed on her love of the outdoors to her children and grandchildren.
A steadfast presence in her family’s life, Jo gave unconditional love to Larry and their children. Calm and supportive, she was a rock upon whom all could depend—the very embodiment of grace under pressure. As a mother and homemaker, she created a home filled with warmth and stability.
Jo also gave generously to her community. She led Brownie troops, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts with enthusiasm and care—roles she embraced wholeheartedly. For many years she served as a hike leader for the Ptarmigan outdoor club based in Vancouver, sharing her passion for the outdoors with others.
Her love for gardening brought her great satisfaction; time spent planting and weeding in her yard was both meditative and joyful. A lifelong reader with a keen intellect, Jo read local newspapers daily and had a particular interest in the early exploration of the American West—especially the journals of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery.
In retirement years, Jo and Larry enjoyed travelling, from Scotland and England to South America to New Zealand as well as across the U.S. and Canada. Many of their trips were interwoven with genealogical research including visits to ancestral sites.
Jo had a subtle, witty sense of humor and a true love of life.
Joanne Nettleton Dean lived a life rich with purpose, beauty, and quiet strength. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her and inspire all who cherish the natural world as she did.
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