Russell Townsend

Services for Russell Townsend, 80, of Andover will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 1st at the United Methodist Church, Groton. Rev. Matt Richards will officiate. Burial will follow in Scotland Cemetery, rural Verdon, near his son's farm, under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to services on Thursday.

Russell passed away June 27, 2010 at Golden Living Center in Groton.

Russell Andrew Townsend was born on January 25, 1930 in rural Pierpont, South Dakota, the son of Howard and Marie (Torguson) Townsend. He attended country school at District 178 and Plainview District #127 near Pierpont and worked on his dad's farm. On September 20, 1950, he united in marriage with Marjory Murray, daughter of James and Emily Murray, in Webster. Together they started their own family farm in the Andover/Ferney area.

Russell was a member of the United Methodist Church in Groton. He enjoyed farming, raising livestock and hunting. Russell loved spending time with his family and hosting large family gatherings.

Celebrating his life through memories is his wife, Marjory and eight children: David (Judy) Townsend of Denver, Colorado; Gary (Julie) Townsend of Sioux Falls; Janell (Larry) Little of Willow Lake; Bonnie Townsend of Los Alamos, New Mexico; Janet (Dean) Deuel of Aberdeen; Alan (Jolene) Townsend of Conde; Dona (John) Schulte of Marion, Iowa; Laura (Gene) Soukup of Wagner; four sisters, Deloris (Robert) Herrick of Madera, California; Anna Lou (Luke) Auen of Manhatten, Kansas; Elaine (Harold) Herr of Webster; Velma (Mel) Pibal of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one brother, Norman (Doris) Townsend of Andover, 24 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife's parents, and three brother-in-laws, Jim Murray, Bob Murray and Harold Herr.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all of his children and grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Russ Townsend, Doug Townsend, Chad Barton, Jeff Deuel, Zach Townsend, Todd Schulte, Tyler Schulte and Andrew Soukup.

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