Helen Townsend

Helen Mae Townsend was born on August 22, 1947, in Alexandria, MN the daughter of Walter and Josie (Halgrimson) Lund. Helen was baptized and confirmed at Calvary Mission Covenant Church in Evansville. She graduated from Brandon High School in 1965 and then continued her education at Faribault School of Practical Nursing, graduating in 1967. Helen married Ralph Townsend on May 20, 1967, at the Evansville Mission Covenant Church. They moved in October to San Diego, CA, where Ralph was stationed in the United States Navy. Helen worked at Paradise Valley Hospital in San Diego. Helen and Ralph welcomed their first child, Mike, to their family in 1970. In May of 1970, Helen and her family moved to Minneapolis, MN and she worked at the U of M Hospital. The family then moved to Brandon, MN in 1971 and welcomed their second son Jay in 1972. After a few years living in Brandon, Helen and her family built a home in Garfield, MN in 1976. Over the years, Helen worked for short time at Knute Nelson and for over 20 years at Bethany Home as an LPN. She also worked at Insty Prints, Pump and Stuff in Garfield, and with the United States Postal Service as a rural letterman’s carrier. Helen was a founding member of the Garfield 1st Responders and served from 1991 to 2006. Helen was awarded the “Life Saving Award” for saving a young man’s life in Alexandria as he was jogging.

Helen worked hard and enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life. In her younger years, Helen and Ralph snowmobiled every weekend in the winters and she bowled on a bowling league. She made quilts for her boys and enjoyed sewing, cross stitching, and reading.

Family was extremely important to Helen. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Some memories of Grandma Helen are her love of flowers, Cherry Pepsi, watching “Wheel of Fortune”, her fun sense of humor, and her quick witty remarks. Her daily trips to Hunter’s Lane on their golfcart or side by side with Ralph and their dog, Buddy, and visiting with her good friends and family will be cherished memories. Helen’s loving, fun, and open heart will be forever loved by all who knew her.

Helen M. Townsend, died on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Knute Nelson surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 73 years old. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Ralph Townsend of Garfield; sons, Michael (Jewel) Townsend of Miltona and Jay (Jodi) Townsend of Garfield; grandchildren, Megan Townsend of Miltona, Daniel Townsend of Miltona, and Gracie Pollock of Garfield; sisters, Grace Heinrich of St. Paul, Corrine (Harry) Kruize of Donnelly, and Jean (Charles) Esala of Brandon; brothers, John (Karen) Lund of Brandon, Wayne Lund of Brandon, and Chester (Nanette) Lund of Bandera, TX; brother-in-law, Thomas (Cindy) Townsend of Alexandria; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Edsel Lund and Melvin Lund, and father and mother-in-law, Max and Ruth Townsend.

A Public Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, from 4-7 PM with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at East Moe Lutheran Church with the Reverend Jerry Peterson officiating.

Interment will be in the East Moe Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Moe Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory. www.andersonfuneral.net