Care Towley

Care Towley

Carolyn (Care) Marie Gooder Towley was born May 30, 1932 and died November 9, 2018. Her grand plan had been to live for another 10 years "just to make your lives miserable" - always said with a twinkle in her eye. She was born in Sauk Centre, raised in Mound, educated at Gustavus. Care was an accomplished musician, and taught school to help put her husband Carl through seminary. She was his "right-hand man" as organist/choir director at every parish they served. She was the center of the universe to her children. She could do anything, even with one hand tied behind her back. She made our house the one where neighborhood kids always wanted to come to play. She could braid hair so tight it stayed put for days. Her cinnamon rolls were to die for, with the possible exception of that time she used Cajun seasoning instead of cinnamon. She earned a Master's Degree in Nursing in the 1980's, and had a successful career working in hospitals all around the country. Care came to live in Alexandria in 2001 to be close to family, most recently residing at Nelson Gables. She appreciated her friendships with the "kids" who worked there. She enjoyed playing her piano, reading the newspaper every day and listening to Classical MPR. She was utterly disgusted by the conduct of the current POTUS, so we are confident that she had her wits about her to the very end. Care was preceded in death by infant sister Shirley, infant son Louis, daughter Anika, grandson Kenny and her parents Edna and Alfred Gooder. She is survived by five children: Paula du Feu, Kristin Towley Wilson, Carl Towley (all of Alexandria); Linnea Towley (Salinas, CA) & Louis Towley (Aptos, CA),16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She liked to quote her father by saying "there isn't a dud in the bunch!" We are eternally grateful for the love she shared with us all, and celebrate our good fortune of having had her in our lives.