DENA JEAN TOWNSEND

Wasilla resident Dena Jean Townsend, 43, died of heart failure on June 20, 2005, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

A memorial service was held at 3 p.m., Thursday, June 23, at the VFW on Knik-Goose Bay Road in Wasilla. Floral arrangements are welcome. Her ashes will be scattered over Pioneer Peak.

Ms. Townsend was born Dec. 11, 1961, in Detroit. She moved with her family to Palmer in August 1968 and graduated from Chugiak High School.

In 1991, she moved to Wasilla and lived one year in Anchorage. She was a hair stylist by trade and worked for Trend Setters Styling Salon in Anchorage. She attended Valley Church of Christ, First Baptist Church of Palmer, Gospel Outreach and Church on the Rock.

She enjoyed bingo, AA meetings and Bible study. She loved writing, drawing, listening to music and being with her three cats.

Her family wrote, "As a young mother of two boys, she worked hard to support her family. Her special sweetness and smiling face made the world a brighter and happier place. 'Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.' Rev. 1:7"

Her grandmothers, Suzi and Chum, and grandfather, Leonard, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons, Kenneth and Billy Wilson of Wasilla; mother, Pat Campbell of Palmer; father, Bob Townsend of Wasilla and brothers, Wyatt and Robert Townsend of Wasilla.

Donations may be made to the Dena Townsend Memorial Fund, Account #1044349, at any branch of the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.