Darwin Leroy Towne

Darwin L. Towne age 76 of Garvin, MN died Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at the Sanford-Tracy Medical Center in Tracy, MN. Services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at the Garvin Congregational Church in Garvin. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Monday, October 18, 2010 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:30 PM. The visitation will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. A luncheon will be served in the church immediately following the service. The interment will be following the luncheon at the Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Darwin Leroy Towne was born November 21, 1933 to Earl and Florence (Thompson) Towne in Marshall, MN, Lyon County. He was baptized and confirmed in Wesley Methodist Church in Marshall. As a young boy he attended country school and later Balaton Public Schools in Balaton, MN, graduating from Balaton High School in 1952. Shortly after graduation Darwin enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 24, 1953 and was stationed at Ft. McClellan, AL. He received an honorable medical discharge in November of that same year. On August 12, 1953 Darwin married Betty Mumby in the Balaton Methodist Church and they made their home in the Garvin area. After several other residents in Minnesota they returned to southwestern Minnesota in 1968 near Amiret, MN. In 1995 they built a new home west of Tracy, where they currently lived. Since he returned from military service, Darwin owned and operated Towne Construction Company, a heavy equipment and road construction business. In the mid 1990’s he retired and sold the business. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing cards, pool and visiting with friends, but he especially loved horses. He loved raising and training them. On Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Darwin died unexpectedly, while working with his horses, at the age of 76. Darwin is survived by his wife, Betty Towne of Garvin, MN; three daughters, Roxanne (Ahmed) Nuheily of San Diego, CA, Cheryl Towne of Marshall, MN and Karen (David) Voth of Mankato, MN; three sons, Gary (special friend, Terri Kirst) Towne of Balaton, MN, Jeffrey (Jenny) Towne and Darwin (Sheri) Towne, both of Garvin, MN; seventeen grandchildren; six great grandchildren; one sister, Darlene; two step brothers; one step sister; one brother-in-law, Robert (Nick) Mumby of Arlington, SD; many other relatives and friends. His parents, wife’s parents, one step sister, and one brother-in-law, Ronald Mumby preceded him in death.