Ellentina “Tina” Brown Townsend, 99, of Sweet Home passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024. Born November 14, 1924, to John and Hanna (Deutscher) Everding on a farm near Streeter, North Dakota. I was the oldest and only girl of five children.

In 1928, my parents moved to Isabel, South Dakota. I attended all my schooling in Isabel from 1931 to 1941. I drove a one horse cart that my dad made, five miles to school when I was eight and nine years old.

My parents lost their farm during the depression. In the fall of 1941 they moved back to North Dakota, rented a farm and started farming again.

I helped with the farm work until I was 21 years old. I was the oldest, so I was the first to help with the farm work. I worked with a team of horses with farm equipment doing different things. I drove an old Fordson tractor plowing a field. I milked cows twice a day. I even shoveled manure.

After I was 21 years old, I decided I wanted to fly the coop. I worked in Jamestown, ND at the Red Owl Store. In 1947, I met my future husband Arthur Ray Brown. We got married June 1949 in Madison, MN. In August we moved to Everett, WA. Arthur worked in construction until he retired.

We settled in Sweet Home in 1961. I worked at the Foster Cafe and the Spring Cafe. Arthur passed away November 1997. I met Thomas Townsend in 2001, got married on May 13, 2003, and later got divorced.

I enjoy decorating my home, working in the yard, planting flowers, fishing, garage sales and going hunting with the men.

I also enjoyed piecing together family genealogy, dating back to 1765, from Germany to Russia, to the USA in 1903.

I am survived by son, Gary Ray Brown; two brothers Gilbert (Pat) Everding of Medina, ND, Clifford (Adulelia) of Albuerque, NM; sister in law Rosella Everding and Teresa Everding; grandson Larkin (Cindy) Brown; granddaughter Colene (Chris) Bradley, four great grandchildren: Mariah Bradley, Michael Bradley, Raelynn Brown, Landon Brown; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Written by Tina.

Graveside service will be 11 am, Friday, September 6th at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.