Phyllis M. (Miller) Townsend

    Mrs. Phyllis Townsend, beloved wife of the late Clair Townsend, of Preeceville, passed away peacefully at the Kelvindell Lodge on Saturday, September 6. She was 99 years of age. Phyllis Miriam Townsend (Miller), third child of Tom and Hilda Miller, born August 16, 1926, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025 at the Kelvindell Lodge. She was 99 years of age.

    Phyllis attended her first eight years of school at Partridge Hill, then worked for her room and board with friends in town. After completing Grade 12, she attended Normal School in Moose Jaw for eight weeks and then went to a country school to teach near Pangman. She also taught at Lintlaw Rural and Robinson Creek Schools. After teaching six years she married Clair Townsend and became a farmer’s wife. They had three children, Gordon, Gail and Donna. They raised cattle, pigs and chickens. Clair and his brother, Doug, farmed with horses until they each bought a tractor.

    Phyllis loved her flowers and always had a large garden. She sewed and crocheted many beautiful quilts that she shared with friends and family. She even made baby blankets for her great-great-grandchildren, whenever they arrived! Phyllis also enjoyed knitting and loved to read.

    Phyllis is predeceased by her parents, Tom and Hilda Miller; three brothers, Donald, Thomas Jr and Gordon; her sister, Irene; son-in-law, Mike Woodske; grandson, Tim Werner; brothers-in-law, Douglas Townsend, Harold Townsend and Otto Holte; and sisters-in-law, Julia Miller, Mildred Miller, and Phyllis Holte.

    Phyllis will be lovingly remembered by her children, Gordon (Bev), Gail (Deane), Donna (Robert); seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Virginia Townsend and Ann Miller; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

    Funeral Services were held on September 13, 2025, from Trinity United Church, Preeceville, with Rev. David Mugadzi officiating. Tracey Werner read scripture and gave the eulogy. Pianist, Karolyn Kosheluk, played for the hymns “Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”, “In the Garden”, “Old Rugged Cross”, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”. Interment followed in the Poplar Grove Cemetery, Ketchen, with Phyllis’s granddaughters, Amber Woodske, Michelle Mayer, Tracey Werner, Kelley Wog, Janine Nelson and Rayne Chorneyko serving as casket bearers.

Memorial donations may be made to the Poplar Grove Cemetery (c/o Box 1053, Preeceville, SK S0A 3B0) or to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (200-4545 Parliament Ave. Regina, SK Canada S4W 0G3) as gifts of remembrance. 

Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.