DONALD H. TOWN
May 25, 1926 – December 18, 2011

Donald H. Town, age 85, a life long Park Rapids, MN area resident, went home to Glory on Sunday, December 18th, 2011 with his loved ones at his side while residing at Diamond Willow Assisted Living under hospice care.
Don was born on May 25, 1926 to Harry A. and Alma Louise (Ruhnke) Town. It was in Park Rapids that he attended public school and grew into manhood. Just a short time before his scheduled graduation from high school, Don felt the need to serve his country during World War II so he joined the United States Navy where he proudly served from May of 1943 until March of 1946. His graduation from Park Rapids High School was later held in a special ceremony at the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post with several other war time graduates on November 11 of 1999. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Don returned to the Park Rapids area where on February 22 of 1948 he was united in marriage to Marjorie Franks. She tragically preceded him in death on October 25, 1964. On May 5, 1965, Don’s life was made complete again with his marriage to Gloria Cummins. Don’s professional career was largely invested with the Itasca Mantrap Electric Cooperative where he spent 31 years working as a lineman. He was also active in his community. Don had a strong faith and was an active member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. He also had served as a member of the Park Rapids Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing with his family and friends and playing a competitive game of cards. He had also been a member of the Park Rapids Bowling leagues for many years. Above all, Don will be remembered as a man who devoted his life to his wife, his children and his grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Gloria of Park Rapids; his five children: Gordy (Kathy) Town of White Bear Lake, MN, Dennis (Rose) Town of Sartell, Sherry Larson of Park Rapids, Dan Larson of Fargo and Renee (Archie) Anderson of Park Rapids; many precious grandchildren and several great grandchildren; five siblings: Helen Anderson of Des Moines, Iowa, David (Marion) Town and Gene Weekley all of Park Rapids, Leone Jeffers of Spokane, WA and Tom Town of Bloomington, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by two sisters: Dorothy Hoefs and Ruth Crook and three brothers: Chuck, Jim and Bob. Don was also deeply saddened by the death of his son, Monty Larson in October of 2008 and his grandson, Caleb who went to be with the Lord in September of 2011.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, December 23, 2011 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. James Neubauer and Rev. Tim Heinecke officiating.
The congregational hymns will be: “Behold a Host Arrayed in White”, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”. Casketbearers will be his grandsons: Juanhondo Lehmann, Richard Town, Patrick Larson, Michael Town, Evin Larson and Jarid Larson. His honorary casketbearer will be his grandson, Army Ranger Derek Anderson who could not attend his grandfather’s funeral. Military honors will be conducted by the Star of the North Marine Corps League. Interment will be in the Town family plot in the Greenwood Cemetery of Park Rapids. Following the service, a luncheon will be provided for all. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Thursday, December 22 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.