God truly broke the mold when he created Elizabeth (Betty) Grace Townsend, who was peacefully called home Monday, June 24, 2024. A visitation with family greeting friends will be 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Strode Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 28, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 711 N. Country Club Road, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Known to all as "Betty," Elizabeth Grace (Burtschi) Townsend was born December 18, 1946 in Fort Worth, Texas, the youngest child of William (Bill) Theodore and Georgia Grace Burtschi. The baby of the family, Betty grew up in a home full of love, and under the watchful eyes of her brothers James (Jim) Wayne and Robert (Bob). One of her fondest memories was her big brother Jim putting his baby sister on his bicycle handle bars and pedaling her wherever the day took them.

When Betty was in second grade the family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where she attended parochial school through the eighth grade, and later graduated from C.E. Donart High School. She attended Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1968 with a degree in Business and a minor in Apparel Merchandising. During her college career she served on Business Student Council, Student Senate, Student Government Association, and as Vice-President and Pledge Educator for her beloved Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, a sisterhood which would play a prominent role throughout her life.

It was in college she also met the future love of her life, Ralph (Bud) Aldon Townsend. When asked if it was love at first sight Betty would always exclaim with a grin, "No! I didn't even like him!!!" They were married in 1972, and prior to her passing celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. Throughout their marriage all of Betty's endeavors were enabled by Bud. She was often the planner, and he was the muscle. There was little that her tenacity and his unwavering support couldn't achieve.

As a young alum, Betty was heavily involved with her sorority. She was appointed to the Theta Advisory Board as Pledge Advisor for 9 years, followed by a 16-year tenure as Chapter Advisor and Chair of the Advisory Board. In 1986 she was named "Panhellenic Alumna of the Year" by the OSU Panhellenic. As President of the KAO Stillwater Alum Chapter, she was instrumental in reviving The Flaming Festival. An annual fundraiser benefitting CASA, the KAO national philanthropy, which she chaired for over 40 years. She was awarded the KAO National Philanthropic Spirit Award at their National Convention in 1998. In 2019 Betty spearheaded one of her most cherished tasks, the Kappa Alpha Theta Centennial Celebration for the OSU Beta Zeta Chapter. A gathering of over 850 alums for celebrations and renewal of Theta bonds of sisterhood.

Betty was the absolute queen of creating incredible events on a near zero dollar budget. This creativity played perfectly with her love for the community. There was rarely a moment in her life when she wasn't immersed in planning one event, or three. She often organized, created graphics, or composed correspondence WELL into the early A.M. hours, as she always contended this was "the best time to work." She was a tireless, giving force, whose creative and endless effort led to involvement in so many different organizations throughout her life. Over the last several years Betty's focus has primarily been serving on the OSU Friends of Music board. An organization she has loved being a part of for the better part of 24 years. With her help the organization has grown, thrived, and now funds nine full scholarships for music majors of Oklahoma State University. Betty was also an integral member of the Oklahoma P.E.O., an organization which supports scholarships on a local and national scale. One of the organization's mainstay fundraisers was a signature, Betty Townsend fashion show. As one of her final acts of service, Betty orchestrated the spring 2024 event from the confines of her bed, made possible by her trusty tablet, cell phone, and a heavy dose of determination.

Beginning her career, Betty worked briefly for Neiman Marcus after graduation. But the path of entrepreneurship was her calling in life. Her first business, located in Stillwater, was My Brother's Backyard. Which was conveniently enough located right behind Colonial Florist that was founded by her brother Jim. She also had participation in a business her mother purchased while Betty was in high school, Nina's, a women's clothing and gift shop located on Knoblock Street. Betty would often quip, "We went in to buy a prom dress and came out owning the store!" Later operated solely by Betty and Bud, Nina's was renamed Elizabeth's in 1988 and is still a vibrant success almost 60 years later.

More than anything in life, Betty valued and loved her friends and family. They were her "why" for all things. Her sons, Will and Linc, were her pride and joy. Throughout their lives she was the perpetual homeroom mom, PTA President at Westwood Elementary, and Den leader during their scouting years. An eternal cheerleader in their successes, and biggest supporter through their struggles.

For those she leaves behind, there will forever be a Betty-shaped hole in our lives. Her passion, love, and moxie will be missed.

She has rejoined her parents, brothers, and her son, always her "Sunshine," Linc.

She is survived by her husband, Bud Townsend, her son and daughter-in-law, Will and Erica Townsend, and grandchildren, Alex and Eddie Townsend, whom she adored beyond anything in this world.

She was truly one of a kind and will be so intensely missed.

In Betty's memory, donations may be made to the OSU Friends of Music, 102 Greenwood School of Music, Stillwater, OK 74078 where a special fund has been established for the funding of a memorial scholarship.