Geraldine L. Townsend Stubbs

Geraldine L Townsend Stubbs, 85, died Friday, May 23, 2014, at Baxter Care Center.

Gerry was born Aug. 22, 1928, in rural Baxter to Dutch and Ada (Holtsclaw) Schmidt. She graduated from State Center High School in 1946. She was united in marriage with Harold “Doc” Townsend on Oct. 3, 1947. They were married almost 54 years until Doc’s passing in 2001.

On Aug. 10, 2002, she married Lyle Stubbs of Kearney, Neb.

Gerry was a homemaker and ran a business out of her home for many years as an alterationist, specializing in bridal gowns. She was passionate about music and loved to play the piano and sing. She belonged to the Sweet Adelines barbershop harmony and traveled the country to perform and compete. She also enjoyed crocheting, quilting and baking. She was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ in Baxter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Walter; her husband, Harold “Doc” Townsend, and her second husband, Lyle Stubbs; her daughters, Mary Sue Townsend, Sandi Tyler and Shirley Christain.

Gerry is survived by two sisters, Mary Lou Nichol of Ohio and Nina Page of Arizona; three grandchildren, Traci (Jeff) Shepley of Baxter, Ryan Bucklin (Rebecca O’Harra) of Baxter and Billy (Jesse) Iverson of Newton and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 30, at Bethany UCC in Baxter followed by a celebration of life service at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be directed to the family or Care Initiatives Hospice.