Joyce Townsend

Joyce (Bell) Townsend was born on October 12, 1942 in Keokuk, Iowa to Robert and Hazel (Elwell) Bell and passed away on October 9, 2024 at Southview Acres in West St. Paul, MN.

While in school she enjoyed band and choir. Chasing a better life, she moved to Chicago all on her own. There she met Everett Townsend while both were working for the Burlington Northern Railroad. They were married in Chicago on December, 6, 1969. They were subsequently transferred to the St. Paul, MN office. They remained in Minnesota and raised a family here, predominantly in Cottage Grove. She retired from Securian Life in 2012.

Joyce was a feisty woman who had Opinions about many things and was not afraid to share them (especially politics). She enjoyed cardmaking, crocheting, and her twist cones in a cup from DQ. She absolutely adored and was so proud of her 4 granddaughters. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's stole that woman from us during her final years.

She was preceded in death by parents; husband, Everett in 2010; brother, Robert; and two sisters, Louise (Bell) Hickey and Janet (Bell) Clingingsmith. She leaves to mourn her passing her 3 children; Kara, Claudette (Todd) Bradley and Mark (Kara); 4 grandchildren; Carissa and Trina Bradley and Gabriella and Victoria Townsend; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Health Partners Hospice team for making her passing as comfortable as possible. Private family services are being held to honor and celebrate Joyce's life. She will join her husband, Everett at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.