Carol Jean “Cj” Townsend, 71, of rural Luxemburg, passed away after an illness of several months on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Jack and Engrid Meng Hospice Residence, as her husband, Warren, read Matthew 22:34-40 to her. She was born March 9, 1952, in Appleton to Loren and Ruth (Mullenbach) Luedeke of Hilbert. She was “Little Red” to her father’s Big Red, and in later years she was just Red in Warren’s newspaper columns and blogs.
Cj was a devoted mother, grandmother and gardener. In retirement she delighted in her grandsons, digging in the soil, cooking and baking and canning, refinishing furniture, and remaking the living room every few months. She fervently defended the sanctity of life. After one of the longest engagements on record (starting Christmas 1998), Cj married Warren Bluhm in Fish Creek on Jan. 28, 2017.
A graduate of Hilbert High School and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in chemistry and art, she worked in several labs over a distinguished career, including for Robert E. Lee and Associates and the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, and most passionately in quality control for Terry Lemerond’s Enzymatic Therapy and its successor incarnations, where she spent the last quarter-century of her professional career.
In addition to her husband, Warren, Cj is survived by her son, Lee (Sarah), and grandsons Luke and Robert, Abrams; Lee’s father, Rick Townsend, Little Suamico; sisters-in-law Carole (Keith Berchem) Luedeke, Hilbert, and Connie Bluhm, Cinnaminson, New Jersey; brother-in-law, Bruce Bluhm, Chester, New Jersey; nephew, Chris (Kelly) Luedeke and their son, Owen, Kaukauna; nieces Elizabeth and Joanna Bluhm, Cinnaminson, New Jersey; and furry children Dejah, Summer and Blackberry.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law Richard and Hilda (Elwell) Bluhm; brother, Gary Luedeke; and brother-in-law Charlie Bluhm.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no formal service. A gathering and celebration of Cj’s life will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 7, at Pfotenhauer Funeral Home, 1145 Cardinal Lane, Howard, emceed by the Rev. Cory Dahl.
The family sincerely thanks the staff at Unity Hospice, especially Phillip, Ann, Brittany, and Ingrid, for the dedication and compassion that brought joy and peace to Carol Jean’s final weeks.
I’m so sorry for your pain!