Catherine “Katie” Townzen, 78, of Colusa, died February 10, 2022. Katie was born in Colusa on January 7, 1944, to Matthew J. Keegan, Jr. and Rose Marie Brown Keegan. Katie was a lifelong Colusa County resident and had fond memories of growing up on the Keegan family ranch in Bear Valley. She graduated high school from Our Lady of Mercy Academy Catholic School in Red Bluff in 1961. In her early years she worked as a telephone switchboard operator in Colusa and took courses at Yuba College. Katie married Vic Townzen on June 6, 1964 and they would go on to be married for 56 years.
Katie worked most of her career at Lincrest Elementary School in Yuba City as the school’s attendance clerk and also as a teacher’s aide in the deaf and hard of hearing program. Katie went back to school and obtained her AA degree from Yuba College in 1989. In her later years she worked for Colusa Farm Credit and took care of her father. Katie supported her son’s 4-H projects and was a project leader. Katie and Vic were also active in Colusa Stagehands Theatre. Katie enjoyed reading, taking RV trips with Vic and spending time at Lake Almanor with family. She also enjoyed keeping in contact with her extended family and organized many family reunions. Even in her last difficult months, she would ask about the welfare of her family members.
Katie was preceded in death by her father Matt, mother Rose Marie, and husband Vic. She is survived by sisters Lucy Penning of Gridley, Sarah Harrison of Bellevue WA, Mary Burleson of Williams, brothers Jim and Bob Keegan of Williams, sons Mike Townzen of Chico and Matt (Arlene) Townzen of Folsom, grandchildren Garren D’Aloisio, Nathan Townzen and Lauren Townzen, and numerous cousins and extended family members. Graveside services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colusa on June 3, 2022 at 2 PM with a reception at Rocco’s following. ■
PUBLISHED 05/26/2022 • COLUSA COUNTY PIONEER REVIEW #2022-0582