Ralph Warren Townsend

Ralph Warren Townsend, 79 of Garfield, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the St. Cloud VA Hospital. Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025 at East Moe Lutheran Church in Garfield at 10:30 AM, with a burial in the church cemetery following the service. Lunch and sharing of memories will be held at the Garfield Community Center following the burial. A public visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Thursday, April 3, 2025, as well as one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Ralph Townsend was born to Ruth (Brackin) and Max Townsend on October 15, 1945 in Alexandria, Minnesota. He was one of two boys born into the family and would enjoy growing up alongside his brother Tom on the family farm. He attended public school in Villard graduating with the class of 1963.

He then went on to vocational school in Alexandria and graduated with a degree in Farm Equipment Mechanics in 1965. Following his graduation, Ralph enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in San Diego, California. During his time in the service, Ralph was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, as well as a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam. Ralph was honorably discharged from the Navy as a Shipfitter Petty Officer Second Class in December of 1969, and was able to return to the workforce.

During his career, Ralph worked at Schwartzwald Motors and Juettner Motors before settling in at Douglas Machine, where he remained for over 26 years before his retirement in 2010.

On May 20, 1967 Ralph married Helen Mae Lund at the Evansville Mission Covenant Church. Together, they welcomed two sons, Mike and Jay. The family spent a short time in Minneapolis before returning to Garfield and building their home in 1976. Throughout the years Ralph’s greatest joy was spending time in his ever-expanding shop with his boys, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. He was active in his community participating in the Garfield Lions Club, the East Moe Cemetery Board, and Garfield Volunteer Fire Department.

When Ralph and Helen weren’t working or volunteering their time, the couple liked to take daily trips to Hunter Lane on their golfcart or side by side, spend the winters snowmobiling, or soaking in the moments with their beloved family. On March 27, 2021 Helen passed away at Knute Nelson surrounded by her loving family. Ralph and Helen enjoyed 53 years of marriage.

After Helen’s passing, Ralph became reacquainted with Kathy Moe and the two were married on Friday, October 13, 2023. Ralph and Kathy enjoyed spending time together with family, neighbors, and friends, as well as gardening, taking drives, and going to Arizona during the winter months.

In 2023 Ralph was diagnosed with cancer and suffered several health complications. After having hip surgery in mid-February, Ralph was transferred to the VA in St. Cloud where he later passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the age of 79.

He will forever be remembered for his ability to make anything from scratch – including a sawmill, boiler, and the Jeep he fully restored (his pride and joy), among many others. He was a gifted mechanic, metal fabricator, and welder. His likeable nature and ability to chat for hours are just two things that will be missed by many.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy Townsend; sons: Michael (Jewel) Townsend, Jay Townsend (Cindy Elton and her girls, Bethy (Johnny) Hedine and Lillian Roering); grandchildren: Megan Townsend, Daniel Townsend, and Gracie Pollock; brother, Tom (Cindy) Townsend; Kathy’s daughters: Heidi Henderson (Todd Jordahl), Amy (Joe) Sigsworth; Kathy’s grandchildren: Katie, Andrew, Adam, Sophie, and James; and her 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and many other beloved family and friends. Ralph is preceded in death by his first wife of 53 years, Helen Townsend and his parents, Max and Ruth Townsend.