Carolynn Townsend

Carolynn Erickson Townsend, age 79, formerly of Elbow Lake, passed away at The Parker Home in New Jersey on June 17, 2014. Born in 1935 to parents Loren and Cora Erickson, Carolynn grew up in Elbow Lake and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in Home Economics. After marrying John Kenneth Townsend in 1963 she lived, worked, and raised her family in New York City. Having a varied career, Carolynn taught high school for years, wrote a nutrition text book, and loved working for the public interest at The Rockefeller Group. After retiring, she found volunteering as a literacy tutor in public schools to be highly rewarding. Her warm sense of humor, fun-loving and dynamic personality, strong work ethic, and genuine caring for others were some of her defining qualities. Her unwavering love for her daughters and grandchildren was palpable. As a loving and devoted mother, kind and generous friend, beloved wife and grandmother, she will be sorely missed and forever in our hearts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Loren and Cora Erickson. Carolynn is survived by her husband, John Kenneth Townsend, Jr.; daughters Camilla Townsend and Cynthia Townsend; two sons-in-law, John Nolan and Chris Lucht; and four beloved grandsons. Services were held in New Jersey, where she had been living. Interment is in The Mound Grove Cemetery in Evansville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The SPAN Association at www.spanalumni.org or to www.gustavus.edu. Condolences and memories are welcomed at www.EricksonSmithFH.com. The Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Service
Thursday, July 10, 2014