Viola I. (Blunt) Townsend

Viola "Vi" Townsend, 99, of Belmond passed away Monday, April 3, 2017 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Funeral services for Vi Townsend will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 6:00 PM at the Belmond United Church of Christ Congregational, 116 W. Main St. in Belmond, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Burial will take place on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:30 AM in the Evergreen Cemetery in Rudd, IA.

Visitation for Vi Townsend will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday at the United Church of Christ Congregational.

Vi was born in Rudd, Iowa to Lewis and Bertha (Handt) Blunt on August 4, 1917. She was the middle of 5 children. When she was 2 1/2 years old, her parents moved from the Rudd Café they owned to a farm 2 1/2 miles south of Rudd where Vi attended the Rudd Consolidated School for 12 years. She graduated in 1935 as valedictorian of her class.

Her dad called her "Sis" and it became her nickname in grade school and throughout her life by her family.

In February 1938, she married Earl Uker on her parents farm. To this union two children were born, Donald and Janet.

In September 1949, she married Merlyn Townsend. He had a son, Gary, who also joined the family. To this union, one daughter, Carol, was born. Vi and Merlyn worked in various places, but finally settled in Belmond, Iowa, raising turkeys for Belmond Industries for several years. In 1976, they bought the turkey farm, renamed it "Townsend's Poultry" and started raising capons. They raised over 40,000 capons a year with the help of many local young men. In 1982, they sold the farm, retired, and moved back into the town of Belmond where they lived and loved life.

After they retired, daughter Carol and her husband Bob started "Carol's Lunchwagon". For 20 years Vi and Merlyn helped out. Vi made the sandwiches and the delicious rolls. Vi and Merlyn dearly loved helping with the lunch wagon.

Vi and Merlyn spent their retirement fishing in Minnesota, mostly Okoboji, where Vi enjoyed outfishing Merlyn . Vi was a member of "Over 60s" and President of "Senior Citizens", both of which she loved. Vi was a member of the United Church of Christ in Belmond.

Her sons, Donnie and Gary taught her to shoot the revolver and pellet gun. She was the winner in many can shooting competitions. Janet wrote many poems that she always enjoyed reading. Vi loved western music, polka music, and always had the radio on. Vi and Merlyn loved to dance and have probably played cards with almost everyone here.

Vi had a great sense of humor, was a hugger, and always told everyone "I love you!" . Her philosophy in life was to live one day at a time, never be negative, and find good in everyone. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends who brought so much joy and laughter into her life.

Vi is survived by her daughter, Carol (Bob) Steenblock of Belmond: 6 grandchildren, Debbie (Rhett) Bigham, Cheryl (Jim) Wickwire, Kevin (Linda) Uker, Jerry (Susan) Smith, Ryan (Arianne) Steenblock, Rusty (Crystle) Steenblock: 2 sisters, Iva Gruver and Betty (Dale) Neel: many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents; parents Lewie and Bertha Blunt; 3 brothers; son Don Uker; son Gary Townsend; husband, Merlyn Townsend; former husband Earl Uker; daughter Janet Smith; and great-granddaughter Ryleigh Steenblock.