Linda Modrell, a former Benton County commissioner who championed equality and advocated tirelessly for vulnerable residents during her 16-year tenure, died Nov. 8, 2025 at age 82.
Modrell, a Philomath resident, served four terms as a Benton County commissioner from 1999 through 2014 after first being elected in 1998.
During her time in office, Modrell helped establish Beazell Memorial Forest, Fort Hoskins Historical Park and Fitton Green Natural Area. She also played a pivotal role in switching the county to a two-year budget cycle and purchasing the Sunset Building to consolidate county employees.
One of her most significant achievements was helping to set up Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties, a network of federally qualified health clinics for low-income residents that now serves patients in six locations. She also worked with the Association of Oregon Counties, serving as its president in 2009.
Modrell became embroiled in one of the most heated controversies of her career when she took a stand on same-sex marriage. Together with Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo, Modrell voted for the county clerk to stop issuing all marriage licenses until same-sex couples also had the right to marry.
“Linda’s great contribution to us all was her stance on marriage equality,” said Commissioner Pat Malone.
The decision was divisive and emotional. Modrell held her position for five months, even as a citizens’ group began a recall effort to force her out of office. The standoff ended when all three commissioners voted to comply with a court order to resume issuing marriage licenses to straight couples. Same-sex marriage became legal in Oregon in 2014, about seven months before Modrell retired.
“Friends who knew her described her drive and commitment for the people of Benton County,” said Gabe Shepherd, Benton County Democrats chair and current county commissioner. “Her tireless work shaped Benton County and will continue to benefit future generations.”
Scott Ramsey, a former Philomath city councilor, called Modrell “one of the absolute best county commissioners and the community was lucky to have her fighting for the interests of the city of Philomath.”
Ramsey said he was particularly impressed by Modrell’s dedication, noting that she never missed a meeting during Philomath’s controversial highway couplet design process.
“She would be at Benton County meetings at 8 a.m. and at City Council, ODOT and other community events that went past 10 p.m.,” Ramsey said. “She was worth every penny that she was being paid. Benton County voters really got their money’s worth when they had Linda Modrell as a county commissioner.”
Longtime Corvallis City Councilor George Grosch, who ran against Modrell and Jaramillo in the 1998 primary election, remembered her compassion for people and commitment to improving lives.
“She was a tireless advocate for people, particularly the most vulnerable people,” Grosch said. “I found her tongue was as sharp as her wit on several occasions where we disagreed but I always left those times feeling that we remained friends and respected colleagues. She was a force to be reckoned with — in a good way.”
Vance Croney, Benton County counsel who worked with Modrell throughout her 16-year tenure, admired her commitment to seeing projects through to completion.
“When she sank her teeth into a project, she didn’t let go until it was completed,” Croney said.
Malone, who has served as a county commissioner since 2018, called Modrell a friend and mentor. He recalled fond memories of talking and laughing with her at Benton County fairs, where they would listen to concerts and discuss current issues.
“She was an avid supporter of 4-H and the fair,” Malone said. “She and Keith (her partner) even moved their Airstream trailer to a fairgrounds campsite and spent their nights there.”
Modrell grew up in Albany and attended Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University. She worked at OSU for several years and also in the health policy field. She is survived by two sons.
(Anne Thwaits, Benton County public information officer, contributed to this story).