Melvyn Townsend

Melvyn “Muggs” Warren Townsend, 95, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at his residence under the care of Lakeland Hospice.  He was born November 16, 1913, in Fergus Falls, the son of Edward M. and Leora (Champlin) Townsend. He attended Lincoln School (as did his children and some of his grandchildren) and graduated from Washington High School in Fergus Falls in 1931. He attended Macalester College in St. Paul where he met Katherine Dames. They were married in St. Paul March 31, 1937, and shared 66 years together living in Fergus Falls. He enjoyed sports as an active participant in high school and college and beyond, and as a spectator of his grandchildren in his later years. Muggs enjoyed hunting and fishing all of his life. He had a great appreciation for God’s beautiful creation, and that led him to be active, as a founder of the Fergus Falls Save the Wetlands, in preserving wildlife habitat and planting trees and other endeavors. He lived “green” decades before it was popular and received several awards recognizing his accomplishments in that area. Muggs especially valued hard work and worked hard all of his life. He had an entrepreneurial spirit. He could recognize opportunity and learned how to develop a plan to capitalize on it. He had many jobs and businesses, starting with selling a frog in a box as fishing bait when he was four years old. He is best known for Muggs’ Ice Cream Shop, and his life long profession of Townsend Concessions, which he started in 1928 at age 15 at the Otter Tail County Fair. He was still selling foot long hot dogs at the Minnesota State Fair at age 88. Many, many people have stories about the summer they went “on the road” with Townsend Concessions. Muggs and Katherine’s five children, and eventually their families, were always a big part of his life. They were included in all of his activities – hunting, square dancing, having company, the Smelt Fry, tapping maple trees, winter picnics, etc., but especially working in the concession business. All five kids and many of their families are still involved in food concessions to some degree. Some of the organizations he was involved in over the years include: Fergus Falls Jaycees, Fergus Falls School Board, FF Area Save the Wetlands, Fish & Game Club, Square Dance Club, Odd Fellows Lodge, as well as professional associations. He received awards for sports and for concessions as well as for his conservation activities. He was a life long member of Grace United Methodist Church. He exemplified integrity, hard work, a conservative lifestyle, and was loved and respected by his family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine in 2003; his parents; and two sisters, Ruth Gingrich, and Janice Torgeson. Survivors include his five children: Carol (Richard) Peik of Madison, WI, George (Elizabeth) Townsend, Fergus Falls, Margaret (Ronald) Heikes, Fergus Falls, Alice (Rodney) Spidahl, Orange City, Iowa, and Nancy (Douglas) Hansen of Fergus Falls; 23 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many good friends and his loving home and Hospice caregivers over the last years. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home, with a time of sharing at 7 p.m. and reviewal resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 2 p.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Bob Kandels Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Hospice, Grace United Methodist Church, and the Fish & Game Club. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com