Anna May Nerlien Towne, born to Hans O. Nerlien and Alice Massie Nerlien, on June 11, 1929, passed peacefully early on the morning of November 18, 2024 following a vigil at her bedside by devoted family that included her husband, children and grandchildren.
She grew up in Chetek, Wisconsin. The daughter of a dairy farmer, Anna May was active in 4-H, later setting her sights on a major in home economics in order to work in the Wisconsin Extension program. Her pastor persuaded her instead to attend Aurora College, the liberal arts college founded by the Advent Christian Church and located in Aurora, Illinois. This decision shaped the rest of her life.
Anna May met husband Howard Towne while in college, and together with him heard a presentation by Dr. Frank Laubach, who related his experiences among the Maranao people on the far away island of Mindanao in the Philippines. While intrigued by what she heard, Anna May nevertheless returned home to teach second grade after graduating from Aurora College. In 1955, she accepted Howard’s marriage proposal and a call to missionary work with the Advent Christian Church. Anna May and Howard boarded a merchant ship to travel to their new home in Claveria, Miamis Oriental, on the island of Mindanao, in the Philippines.
Seeing the needs of the people in this rural area of the Philippines, Anna May and Howard focused on sharing the love of God in a ministry of compassion that combined Christian evangelism with agricultural and home industry programs to address poverty. They raised four children, whom Anna May home-schooled in their early primary years before sending them to boarding schools operated by Wycliffe Bible translators and Faith Academy, based respectively in Mindanao and outside Manila.
In 1976, Anna May and Howard moved to Marawi City, home of the proud Maranao people. Under the sponsorship of the United Church Board for World Ministries, Anna May taught English at Dansalan College while Howard led an agriculture extension program aimed at teaching local farmers sustainable farming methods.
After more than 30 years of service as missionaries in the Philippines, Anna May and Howard retired to Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. Even in retirement they served for decades as volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, helping needy families achieve home ownership.
Anna May is survived by husband Howard; daughter Susan; sons Steve, Paul; daughter Marilyn; eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Deceased’s funeral arrangements will be a memorial service planned for a future date in Claremont, California. Memorial donations may be made to Advent Christian International Missions, PO Box 690848, Charlotte, NC. 28227 (www.acgs.us); or Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity, 2111 Bonita Ave., LaVerne, CA 91750-4927.
One Response
Warm memories are cherished of working together in the Philippines and times shared over food as well as in meetings together. May our Lord Jesus keep you in His care and bring comfort to you all in this loss. Laura Putnam