Towne, Margaret Jean (1921 – 2010)

TOWNE, STROEMER, BROWN, WEITZENKAMP, DUCAT, GRUNDSTROM, EASTMAN, SANGER

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/27/2013 at 19:02:46

Margaret Jean Towne
July 21, 1921 - July 18, 2010

Margaret Jean Towne, daughter of A.B. and Audrey (Brown) Stroemer was born July 21, 1921 in Omaha, Nebraska. Jean was raised in Alvo, Nebraska and attended Alvo High School, graduating in 1938, whereupon she enrolled at the University of Nebraska. Jean graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1943 and began teaching in McCook, Nebraska.

On July 24, 1943, Jean was united in marriage with Max Towne in Alvo. Four children were born into this union, Carol, Steve, Bruce, and Barb.

Jean moved with Max to Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1943 and remained with him until he was deployed in 1945. She then went back to live with her parents in Alvo until Max was discharged from the Army in 1946. In the fall of 1946, Jean and Max moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where Max finished his degree requirements. Jean became a mother for the first time in 1946 by giving birth to Carol. In 1947 after Max's graduation, the couple moved to Bellevue, Nebraska, where Max worked for the Stockyards National Bank in Omaha until 1950. The couple's second child, Steve was born to her in 1948. In 1950, Max was recalled into service for the Korean War. Jean and her young family moved with Max to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and remained there until he was discharged a second time in 1951. In 1952, after Max's discharge, Jean, Max, Carol, and Steve moved back to Bellevue whereupon Max reentered the banking business and Jean taught grade school. In 1955, Jean and family moved to Sioux City, Iowa subsequent to Max taking a job at Livestock National Bank. Jean worked as a secretary for an architecture firm at that time. A third child, Bruce, was born to Jean and Max in 1956. In 1957, Jean, Max, Carol, Steve, and Bruce moved to Kimballton upon Max taking a job at Landman's National Bank. It was in and around Kimballton/Elk Horn that Jean would spend the remainder of her life. In 1960, Jean gave birth to Barb, the final addition to the Towne clan. In 1974 Jean reentered the workforce and worked for 17 years at a Harlan savings and loan. In addition, Jean spent many years working in both the Kimballton and Elk Horn public libraries.

All of Jean's life was punctuated by a love of music, be it singing, which she did as part of a high school quartet, the University of Nebraska choir and later various church choirs; be it playing the piano, which she did for University of Nebraska concerts, for various churches and for her own and her family's enjoyment; be it listening to music, which she did and was most poignantly exhibited in her collection of oft-played classical and Broadway scores.

Jean, before Alzheimer robbed her of her cognitive abilities, loved activities and games that exercised and tested her mind, including reading, working cross word puzzles, playing strategic card games, and playing Scrabble, the vocabulary testing board game.

Most of all Jean loved to be there for family and friends as a supporter, cheerleader, sage, and confidant. Whatever those close to her deemed worthy of their efforts, she was there to provide support - no reservations, no second guessing. Her perpetually sunny disposition filled those around her with the confidence that no matter what, things would be alright. All who knew her were benefited by her example of faith in God, living a life with dignity and purpose, and unflagging resilience without complaint in the face of obstacle and setback.

In December 2006, Jean became a resident of Salem Lutheran Home. On July 18, 2010, at the age of 88 years, 11 months, and 27 days, Jean passed away. She will be sorely missed. Jean was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Max Towne of Elk Horn; loving children: Carol Weitzenkamp of Rapid City, South Dakota; Stephen Towne and wife Carol of Dallas, Texas; Bruce Towne and Laurie Towne of Gowrie, Iowa; Barbara and husband Michael Ducat of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren: David Weitzenkamp, Mark Weitzenkamp, Janet and husband David Grundstrom, Jeff Towne and wife Amy, Megan and husband Jon Eastman, Andrea and husband Steve Sanger, Greg Towne, Kirsten Towne, Maria Jean Towne, Sam Ducat and Grace Ducat; great-grandchildren: Michael Grundstrom, Dylan Grundstrom, Julia Eastman, Nathan Towne, and Kyle Eastman; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Celebrant
PASTOR DENNIS REICH
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, AVOCA, IOWA

SCRIPTURE READINGS
ROMANS 5:3-5 JEFF TOWNE
PROVERBS 3:5-6 SAM DUCAT
I THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 JANET GRUNDSTROM

MUSIC
“AMAZING GRACE” LEXUS WAYMIRE, SOLOIST
“PEACE IN THE VALLEY” CONGREGATION
“GREAT IS THE LORD” MARIA JEAN TOWNE AND
MEGAN EASTMAN, PIANO DUET
"WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS" MARIA JEAN TOWNE, SOLOIST
NANCY WATSON, ORGANIST
MEGAN EASTMAN, PIANO

HONORARY BEARERS
ARNOLD PETERSEN
EDWIN LARSEN
DARRELL FREDERIKSEN
RANALD HANSEN
STEPHEN TOWNE
BRUCE TOWNE

Visitation
Saturday August 14, 2010, After - 9:00 AM at Elk Horn Lutheran Church

Memorial Service
Saturday August 14, 2010, 10:00 - AM at Elk Horn Lutheran Church

Burial will follow at Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.

Facts
Born: July 21, 1921
Death: July 18, 2010
Place of Death: Salem Lutheran Home

Source: Ohde Funeral Home
Posted by permission