Nancy L. Buchan

Silas was named after his two grandfathers; Silas Roll Stroud and Horatio Gates Townsend. Si was a very distinguished looking man, and easily recognized as someone who worked in the University systems.

A red-headed feisty woman who was a force to behold, strong in spirit and mind,

An original pioneer, who served in the Civil War at a tender age, which forever impacted his life.

Annie was the most loving and forgiving wife and mother, who cared for others more than herself and always carried more than her share of the burden.

Walter never spoke of his military service, his uniform was discarded and anything that was connected to that time period. This is a very rare picture of him in uniform, that was sent to his mother. As his oldest grandchild, it is now in my possession. Nancy Townsend Buchan

Si, the oldest of two boys, was a deep thinker and accepted nothing at face value.

Wallace put in long days, particularly in the winter months when cattle penned up in the barns were more likely to become ill. In the evenings he would make a wood fire to warm the room and sit at a table carving. He often would be joined by someone, a friend or family member and Wallace would reflect as he carved. These were precious times to be savored. Wallace was my father and the carvings that I have of his are much bigger in value than the wood piece themselves.

Wallace was born on July 6th, 1928 in Xenia, Ohio, the second son of Walter and Hazel 'Marie' Stroud Townsend. His older brother was Silas (1926). The family moved to small farm outside of Yellow Springs and Wallace graduated from Bryan High School in June of 1946. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving at Bethesda Navel Hospital 1946 to 1948.

On June 16, 1951, Wallace took as his bride, M. Edith Kenney, in Springfield, PA.

Wallace attended Ohio State University where he earned at B.S. degree in Animal Science in 1952, and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1956. Following graduation, the young family moved to Gillett, Wisconsin where Wallace set up a private veterinary practice. The family lived there happily, for twenty-eight years, and all four of their daughters graduated from Gillett High School.

Wallace sat on the Gillett District School board, the Gillett City Council, and was a member of the Lion's Club, Civic Club, and the Tabor United Methodist Church. More broadly, he was a member of Toastmasters, The American Veterinary Medical Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, California USDA Veterinary Association.

After his retirement from private practice, Wallace was employed as an USDA meat inspector for the Federal Government. This took him and Edith to Michigan, California and Missouri, where they continued to collect friends.

Wallace had a great love for the out-of-doors. He had several favorite places where he spent time, raking, pruning, mowing and burning, which were his places of heaven on earth. He also immensely enjoyed his friends. He loved a winning game of cribbage, square dancing, sharing his homemade ice cream, robust storytelling and letter writing. With his creative talent he carved a wide array woods into beautiful art pieces. He used this same talent when he crafted the annual Halloween Witch, that graced his front yard in Gillett.

After retirement, Wallace and Edith returned to the area, which they called home, and resided in Abrams, Wisconsin. Here they renewed old friendships and celebrated the anniversary of 51 years of marriage.

Wallace and Edith had four daughters, Nancy, Terrie Sue , Amy, (Sean) and Karen (Gene). They had seven grandchildren; Blake, Bif, Luke, Casey, Bridget, Hans and Kelton.

'Have a purpose in life, and having it, throw into your work such strength of mind and muscle as God has given you' Carlyle

Wallace lived his life with purpose and took great pleasure in his family, friends and his profession. He was a man of integrity, loyalty, mirth and loved life!

His ashes were set loose in one of his favorite berry picking areas of the Machickanee Forest in Oconto County, Wisconsin.
Contributed by Nancy L. Townsend Buchan, his daughter

Obit from Beloit Daily News

DELAVAN – Bonnie C. Ottow, age 85, of Delavan formerly of Beloit was called home by her Lord on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Beloit Health and Rehab. She was born in Beloit on March 10, 1933 to Henry and Elvira (Buske) Babcock. Bonnie was united in marriage to Duane Ottow on January 1, 1953 and at the time of his death on March 10, 2013, they had been married 60 years.

Bonnie is survived by two beloved grandsons, Erik (Rebecca) Ottow, and Neal Ottow; and two great granddaughters, Anna and Kayle.

Bonnie joined her husband and their daughter, Heather, who died on October 10, 2012.

She was not afraid of death for she felt she had been given a wonderful life, but her health was failing the last years and she was anxious to be with her husband again.

Weep not in tears of sorrow because I've gone away.
But weep with tears of gladness for the peace I have today.
I know your hearts are heavy with sorrow that you bear.
But God has called me home, my place is ready there.
My stay on Earth's completed, my final rest is won.
I've received the richest blessing to dwell with God's own Son.

Bonnie was raised with a deep faith and deeply loved her family members. She worked in the church office and maintained her typing skills with weekly letters sent out to a list of family and friends. She was especially close to her Aunt Gertie and cousin Dolores, Gertie's daughter. The girls were very much like sisters and spent as much time together as possible their entire lives.

Duane was the second son born to Evans and Esther D. Weseloh Ottow in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Duane grew up in Beloit, attending public schools. He was always an industrious child and picked up many odd jobs, mowing lawns and delivering newspapers. He met the love of his life while delivering the paper to her family home.
Duane married Bonnie Claire Babcock on January 1, 1953 in Beloit, Wisconsin. They made their home in Beloit. To this union was born one child, Heather Rae.
Duane bought a laundry mat and also made a career as a housepainter. For many years he worked with a partner, Jerry Drake.
For as many years as possible they would enjoy a winter break in Florida.
Bonnie and Duane were blessed to be able to raise their grandsons, Erik and Neal.
After his retirement, Dec. 1, 2011, Duane and Bonnie moved to her family's cottage on Turtle Lake, where Duane enjoyed fishing nearly everyday. Duane's health began to fail after his retirement, but he soldiered on, with both serious heart and blood conditions. He suffered greatly after the death of his daughter in Oct. of 2012, but set a goal to spend another Christmas, wedding anniversary and one more chance to say Happy Birthday to his loving wife.
Duane died at 5:15am on the morning of his wife's 80th birthday. He was cremated and his ashes taken to Turtle Lake by the family.

Obit from local paper, Beloit Daily News:
Duane A. Ottow, age 80 of Delavan, Wi., passed away Sunday March 10, 2013. He was born June 18, 1932 in Beloit, Wi., the son of Evans and Esther (Weseloh) Ottow. Duane was united in marriage to Bonnie Babcock on January 1, 1953. He was the owner and operator of Duane's Painting Contractors in Beloit for fifty years until his retirement. He was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church in Beloit. He also started the Atonement Lutheran "Rebels', being captain of it for 30 plus years. Duane also served as an usher, a member of the church council, and the "brotherhood" at Atonement. Duane was an avid fisherman for all seasons, but especially enjoyed ice fishing. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Bonnie. His beloved grandsons; Erik (Rebecca) Ottow and Neal Ottow. 2 special great-grandchildren; Anna and Kayle. 1 brother, Donald (Barbara) Ottow of Libertyville, Il. Plus extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Heather.

Paul Walter Townsend was the fourth of five children born to John Walter and Dorothy F. Crowfoot Townsend.

He was born May 24th, 1937 in Rushville, Neb. When he was still a young child, his father went to California to seek work, and the family followed in the spring when school let out in May of 1943. The family traveled by rail, their household goods had already been shipped ahead. Paul's first birthday party was held in California, attended by a few new friends he had met at his new school.

Paul served in the U.S. Navy, MR3 US Navy. He was joined in marriage to Patricia L. G. Davis on April 29, 1962. To this union was born a son, Rex on Sept. 15, 1961. He was Paul's only child, and the marriage ended in divorce. Paul would also have two grandsons Eric and Casey.

Due to medical disabilities Paul spent the years after his divorce living with his parents. He lived in Grass valley, CA before moving to San Lorenzo, CA. He was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Trench Rats, Disabled American Veterans, Oustomah Odd Fellows Lodge #16 Nevada City and Sycamore Odd Fellows Lodge #129 in Hayward, CA.

Paul died June 12 of 1996, following complications of surgery. He was cremated, and then graveside burial services were held in the Oustomah Odd Fellows Cemetery in Nevada City, CA.

Contributor: Nancy L. Townsend Buchan

Petrus Enoch was the first child born to John and Dorothy Crowfoot Townsend in Rushville, Nebraska. The family story was that Enoch was the name of the sheep herded who delivered word of Petrus's birth to John. Dorothy and John were living on a family homestead, and John was out on the range.

Petrus had four siblings; Lawrence Edward (1934), Mary Rebecca (Ronald) Wallace (1936), Paul Walter (1937) and Burt Jerry (1941).

In early 1943, John realized that he must find a steady income and he left for California seeking employment. Once he had secured a job, he sent for the family. Dorothy and the five children traveled from Nebraska to the San Francisco Bay area by train in May of 1943. Their household goods had been sent ahead of them.

They stayed in government housing until better housing could be found in El Cerrito. All of the children graduated from High School here.

Pete was married on October 4, 1964 to Mary Lou Marino Calvin. Sadly, the marriage ended prematurely with her death on Sept. 9, 1971. There were no children.

Pete served in the US Army and while overseas he met and married Gina Salino on Oct. 28, 1972. She gifted him with twin daughters; Anna and Dana, from her first marriage and Pete loved them deeply.

Petrus was the Assistant General Manager of Associated Cooperatives. He was noted for development of their sales and service departments, the improvements of the warehouse and building operations as well as transportation functions. This was a cooperative group of ACI, CCB and Gold 'N Rich.

He was cremated and he wished for his ashes to be scattered in three different places. One was in the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery in Oregon, where his Great Grandfather Horatio G. Townsend was buried. The second place was in the Extension Cemetery near White Clay, Nebraska where his Townsend Grandparents, Charlie and Nellie Townsend were buried. This is very near the place where Petrus was born.
Contributed by Nancy L. Townsend Buchan

Burt Jerry Townsend was the fifth child born to John and Dorothy Crowfoot Townsend. His arrival on April 9th, 1941 completed the family of four boys and one girl. The family was living on a homestead in north-west Nebraska.
John realized that he needed have an income that was more predictable and steady and left for California to seek job opportunities. Once he found a job in the San Francisco area, he sent for his family. Dorothy and the children traveled by train after they had shipped all of their household belongings, in May of 1943. Burt was just 2, Paul was 6, Mary was 7, Lawrence would be 9 and Petrus was 10 years old. It was quite a trip, and one that was talked about many times.
The family lived in government housing and in 1944, the children all had the mumps. The family looked for housing closer to the schools, but with the war still going on housing was hard to find. In 1947 they lived in El Cerrito. All of the children graduated from high school here.
In 1965 John and Dorothy moved to Grass Valley but the children had grown and left home, starting their own families.
Burt joined his life with Cheryl Ivanhoe, when they were married on July 3, 1973. They did not have any children.
Burt died at home, he was cremated and his ashes were buried at Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland, California.

Local Obit:
Burt J. Townsend 1941-2013
Burt Townsend passed away in the early hours of Dec 5, at home with his wife Cheryl at his side. His sudden turn in health was unexpected.
Before retiring to Ojai in 1999, he spent 32 years working for the US Postal service in El Cerrito and Oakland. While being of a family of five siblings, he is survived by his sister Mary Wallace and one brother Petrus Townsend.
Hardworking and handy at many things, before retirement he and his wife owned & operated a small chain of Laundromats, where between them they did all the repairs and service. He was also ready & able to do a repair or patch just about any problem around the yard or house. His talents and prodigious memory will be missed.
Burt was an active volunteer at Help of Ojai's Little House where his cheerful shirts and quirky sense of humor will be missed by both his fellow volunteers and many patrons of Little House.
Contributed by Nancy L. Townsend Buchan

Married 21 Feb 1959 Mary Elizabeth Calvin
Two daughters: Lisa Lynn Townsend, Dorothy Ann Townsend

Lawrence was born to John and Dorothy Crowfoot Townsend on August 18, 1934 in Rushville, NE. He was one of five children. After Lawrence's father found work in California, the young family followed in the spring when school let out in May of 1943. The family traveled by rail, their household goods had already been shipped ahead.
Lawrence was married to Mary Elizabeth Calvin on February 21, 1959 and the couple made their home in California. Lawrence served in the Korean War and was a machinist by trade.
The couple were blessed with two daughters, Lisa Lynn and Dorothy Ann. The family had a love of horses and were co-owners of the C Bar T Ranch in Turlock, CA for 25 years. He served three terms as president of the Mid-Valley Appaloosa Horse Club and his daughters participated in many various horse shows and events.
A brain tumor took Lawrence's life early, but he died in the same way he lived --with quiet strength and dignity. He loved his family deeply and will always live in their hearts.
Contributed by Nancy L. Townsend Buchan