Mary Elaine Townsend, age 73, of Sac City, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 11th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City with Father Larry McCarty officiating.  Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday, with a vigil service beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.

Mary was born on February 8, 1934, in Danbury, Iowa (Ida County), the daughter of Hans Henry and Sarah Ellen (Noll) Lembke.  She grew up on a farm south of Early, Iowa, where she attended Cook #6 Country School and graduated from Early Consolidated in 1951.  She completed her education at Wayne State University, Wayne, Nebraska, graduating in 1953.

On June 14, 1953, Mary was united in marriage to William H. Townsend, II in Schaller, Iowa.  Three children were born to this union.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sac City and previously a long time member of the Lytton Presbyterian Church.  She was well known in many area churches for her talent as an organist and pianist and played for many services and community events. 

In her earlier years, Mary was owner/operator of a ladies ready to wear store in Rockwell City (Vel-Zel Style Shoppe) and in Sac City (E. E. Lewis Style Shoppe).  She was manager of the Sac Country Club and employed by Marjo’s in Sac City.  Mary liked to stay active and was a people person.   She always had a bright and friendly smile and warm greeting for everyone.  She loved music, playing the organ and piano, needlework, playing cards, especially bridge and euchre.  She was involved in many card tournaments and liked to go bowling and play golf.

Mary was an adopted, only child.  She was blessed with the found relationships of three sisters for the past 20 years.  Following this revelation, strong bonds had been formed, bringing Mary much joy.

A devoted and loving mother and grandmother, Mary found her greatest joy in life in her family.  When her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, they held a special place in her heart.  Survivors include her two sons: Jeffrey L. Townsend and wife Valorie of Lytton, IA; William H. Townsend, III and wife Tracy of Sac City; and daughter Jill A. Volkens and husband Brian of DeWitt, IA; nine grandchildren: Serianna Townsend of Phoenix, AZ, and Jace Townsend of Lytton; Brandon (Amy) Townsend of Humboldt, IA, and Blake Townsend of Fort Dodge, IA; Nicole Reiman of Sac City and Eric (Amanda) Reiman of Rapid City, SD; John (Rowena) Volkens of Overland Park, KS, and Darcie and Matthew Volkens both of DeWitt, IA; two great-grandchildren: Terrance and Ashley Kiley; three sisters: Fern (Stub) Carstensen of Odebolt, IA; Lois Oxendale of Arthur, IA; and Nancy (John) Markey of Villard, MN; extended family members; and a host of friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Sarah Lembke, and former husband and long time friend, William H. Townsend, II.