Mary Ann Townsend

Mary Ann Townsend, 78, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home with Pastor Russ Leeper officiating from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, where Mary was a member.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home.

Mary Ann Townsend, the daughter of William and Viola (Bogne) Fredrickson, was born on Nov. 1, 1945, in Britt, Iowa. She graduated from Forest City High School in 1963 and attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota. Mary was united in marriage to Roger Townsend on April 30, 1965. The couple were married for 25 years and had two children: Kim and Roger. The couple later divorced.

Mary started working at age 15 as a salad girl at Lakeshore Hotel in Clear Lake, Iowa, and later was a librarian for RRMR School. She began volunteering at the Floyd County Museum in 1979, was hired as a collections technician in 1985 and served in various other positions ultimately becoming the Museum director in 2001 until her retirement in 2020. Mary was active in her community and volunteered with many organizations and served on various boards. Some of these organizations included City Improvement Association, National 19th Amendment Society, Historic Preservation Commission, NIACC Advisory Board, Cedar Valley Engine Club Board, Floyd County Democrat Party Treasurer, Hart-Parr Oliver Collectors Association, Forest City Historical Society, and initiated the Century of Tractor Power Festival. Mary received the America’s Hometown Hero Award in 2021. Mary was also a contributor to The Glacier National Park Conservancy.

Mary enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, reading, and taking walks with her dogs at Westwood Park. Mary loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren, vacationing with family in Wisconsin and traveling by train to Glacier National Park with Wayne and friends.

Living family members include her daughter, Kim Townsend; son, Roger “Buck” (Amber) Townsend; grandchildren: Emma, Nolan, Morgan, and Ellen; significant other, Wayne Wiltse; sisters: Shirley Smith and Donna Fowler; brother, Bill (Shari) Fredrickson; along with many nieces, nephews, and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barbara Fredrickson; brothers-in-law: Gene Smith and Jerry Fowler; and sister-in–law, Nola Kerulis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to any of the organizations Mary was involved with.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.