Phyllis A. Townsend

Phyllis A. Townsend, 68, of Charles City, died Saturday afternoon, April 25, 2009, surrounded by her family, at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services for Phyllis Townsend will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. Pastor Gary Van Wert will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation will continue an hour before the service at the church on Wednesday.

Phyllis Ann Griswold Townsend was born May 30, 1940, at St. Ansgar, the daughter, of Ferris and Mary (Pappas) Griswold. She attended school in Osage. On August 18, 1957, she was united in marriage to Robert Townsend at the Methodist Church in Osage. Phyllis was employed at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City for 24 years. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Faith Circle and Women of the Moose. Her interests included baking cookies, talking on the phone and spending time with her grandchildren. Phyllis will be remembered for always helping others and her devotion to the church.

Living family members include her husband, Robert Townsend of Charles City; six children, Sherry (Randy) Miller of Ionia; Douglas (Mary) Townsend of Greer S.C., Nancy (Larry) Pint of Manchester, Scott (Julie) Townsend of Charles City, Gregory (Angela) Townsend of North Mankato, Minn. and Tammy (Jim) Springer of Charles City; 17 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Alice (Terry) Morthland of Galva, Ill. and Linda Vorce of Ankeny; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Dennis Townsend.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.