Louise Estelle Townley, 72, passed away at her home on October 10, 2008, after a valiant fight against myleo fibrosis. Louise was born in Long Beach, CA on May 23, 1936 to Lance L. Townley, Sr. and Louise Michael Townley. She was the third daughter in a family of three girls and one boy. Louise’s father was a career Navy officer and Louise was a self-described “Navy Brat.” In 1945, her parents divorced. Her father married Phyllis Burkhardt that same year, and Louise called her mother, Phyllis, one of the greatest blessings of her life.
In 1950, the family moved to her father’s home town of Weiser, Idaho. While in Weiser, Louise attended Weiser High School from 1950-1953. There she met many dear friends who have remained close to her over the years. Prior to her Senior year, the family moved to Montpelier, ID where Louise graduated from Montpelier High School in 1954. It was at that time that she met the love of her life, Thomas Windley. They were married on June 1, 1954. Louise became a member of the LDS Church shortly after her marriage. Louise and Tom’s marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in March 1958. They had three children, Jerry Thomas, Tami Louise and Jeffrey Gilbert. They divorced in 1974, but remained dear and close friends. The family lived in Montpelier for several years. Louise worked at the Burgoyne Café and the Kit Kat Café; Tom worked that Theil & Olson. In 1960, they moved to Boise.
In 1961, the family moved to Los Angeles, CA where Louise worked as a bookkeeper for several years. In 1970, she purchased a 7-11 franchise in Glendale, CA., the first of three franchises she would own in California. In 1976 she returned to Boise and purchased a 7-11 which was located at Cole & Overland Roads. The store was closed when the new I-84 interchange was built. Louise decided to retire from that business and began working as the Office Manager at Pacific Recycling’s Franklin St. operation until her retirement in 2003. She also worked at H&R Block for several years as a tax accountant and office manager. She made many dear and cherished friends and clients during these years.
Louise was preceded in death by her father and birth-mother, two children, Tami Louise Windley and Jeffrey Gilber Windley, a sister, Agnes Thelma Townley, and a brother, Lance L. Townley, Jr.
She is survived by her son, Jerry T. Dalke-Windley and son-in-law Michael Dalke-Windley, Boise and her ex-husband, Thomas G. Windley, Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by her beloved mother, Phyllis B. Townley, Boise; sisters JoAnn Nowland, Boise, and Cloriece Townley, Nampa; two brothers, Loren Townley, Meridian; and Lowell Townley, Boise. Louise is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews, 29 great nieces and nephews and 12 great great nieces and nephews, all of whom she was very, very proud.
A celebration of Louise’s life will be held at the Meridian 6th Ward, 5645 S. Maple Grove, Boise, on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Louise’s ashes will be interned at a later date at the Montpelier Cemetery, Montpelier, Idaho.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute and 4th Floor Oncology Ward for their loving care and support of Louise.