Myrle (Townsend) Warren, 86, long-time resident of Mandan, passed away at the Baptist Heath Care Center, Bismarck, ND on February 17, 2014.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Mandan United Methodist Church, 610 12th St NW, Mandan, ND, with Pastor Bruce Adams officiating. Cremation has taken place, and burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery.
Myrle was born November 5, 1927 in Fargo, ND, and raised by parents Wyman and Emma (Fischer) Townsend. She attended Moorhead High School and graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College where she met Duncan. They were married in December 1947.
Duncan and Myrle lived and worked in Gackle, Hazen, and Center before settling in Mandan in the late 1950s. Myrle taught at the State Industrial School for many years and although officially retired, she filled-in as a substitute teacher in the Mandan School District for several more years.
When not teaching, Myrle enjoyed traveling, gardening, entertaining, working crossword puzzles, and the company of her golden retrievers and fuzzy cats. Not one to sit still for very long, Myrle belonged to several community, social, and philanthropic organizations including Fortnightly Club, P.E.O, Thursday Music Club, Dakota Woodturners, and was a charter member of the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Association. Known for her quick, bright smile and equally bright red lipstick, Myrle could always be counted on as a cheerful volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Mandan Art Association shows, music festivals, and church events and conferences.
A devout Christian, Myrle’s service to God was expressed in her love of music. She was the choir director at the Mandan United Methodist Church and sang for Sunday services as a member of the Women's Trio. At home, she supported her children in their many and varied music lessons, and never missed a music performance in which they were participating. Myrle passed along her love of music to her children who continue to carry on her legacy in their chosen professions and volunteer services.
Myrle is survived by her children, John (Rebecca) Warren, Mandan ND, Jo Warren, Santa Fe NM, Jeff Warren, Larkspur CO, granddaughter, Sara Harrie, Healdsburg, CA, and dear treasured friends, Myrna Petermann, MaryAnn Hanson, and Joyce Fox, to name just a few, who would often visit with her after Duncan's passing.
She was preceded in death by her husband Duncan, infant son James, brother-in-law George Warren, her parents, sister Elvira Townsend, brothers and sisters-in-law, Clyde (Dorothy) Townsend, Lynn (Bernice) Townsend, and Byron (Vicki) Townsend.
In honor of Myrle’s life, memorials may be made to the Central Dakota Humane Society 2104 37th Street Mandan ND, Dakota Woodturners PO Box 243 Bismarck ND, or Mandan United Methodist Church 610 12th St NW Mandan ND.