Charlotte (Erickson) Townsend

Sep 24, 1916 -  Jan 1, 2008

Charlotte Erickson Townsend, 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, at Our House in Baraboo after an extended illness. She was born on Sept. 24, 1916, to Elof G. and Monta (Bannon) Erickson in South Bend, Ind.

She had the opportunity of living and attending school in Stockholm, Sweden, while her father worked for General Motors overseas. Upon graduation from high school in South Bend, she attended Indiana University and graduated with a degree in business. After college, Charlotte went to work for General Motors in San Diego, Calif.

While in San Diego, she met Donald William Townsend, who was serving in the Marine Corps. They were married on May 11, 1946, at Mayflower Congregational Church in Detroit, Mich.

In the spring of 1946, they founded and started - Baraboo Floral Company, which opened on Oct. 17 of that year. She retired in 1974 after 27 years in business. Charlotte was a member of Emanuel United Methodist Church; Baraboo Chapter No. 21 Order of the Eastern Star, of which she was a Past Matron; Past Matron's Club; Barbara Chapman Club, and Mabel Rebekah Lodge No. 70. She was also a former member of Inter Se and Sons of Norway.

She is survived by a daughter, Patricia Reis of Camp Douglas; a stepdaughter, Donna (Thomas) Armstrong of Fredonia; a stepson, Donald (Evelyn) Townsend of Eau Claire; her grandchildren, Christopher Reis, Jennifer (Jerel) Bowman and Nicholas Reis; step-grandchildren Robin (Paul) Mueller, Terry (John) O'Dell, Thomas (Jody) Armstrong, Jr., Daniel (Janine) Armstrong; Mark (Beth) Armstrong; 12 step-grandchildren; a niece, Elda (Max) Greenough; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald, in 1987; her sister, Elaine Smith, in 2002; and her son-in law, Lt. Col. (Retired) Thomas Reis in 2004.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, at the Emanuel United Methodist Church in Baraboo, with Pastor Blake Overlien officiating. Interment will take place in the Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo. Friends may call at the church on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services, with an Eastern Star Service to be conducted at 10:40 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Emanuel United Methodist Church, Home Health United Hospice, or a charity of your choice in her name. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family

Article from 03 Jan 2008 Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI)

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

02/16/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40740402/charlotte-louise-townsend