Betty Downs

DOWNS, WATTS, CONNORS, GALLAGHER, BOUGGER, SAUER, NANCARROW, EGGINS, YELLAND

Posted By: diane (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 18:49:08

Betty Downs, 98, of Oelwein, Iowa died Saturday morning, October 20, 2018 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.

Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 26, 2018 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein with Pastor Joshua Schunk officiating.

Visitation: 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home.

Inurnment: Mt. Hope Cemetery, Independence, Iowa.

Memorial Fund: Alternative Living Corporation and Oelwein Health Care Center.

Betty Watts was born April 27, 1920 at Rotherham, Yorkshire, England, the daughter of Arthur and Mabel (Goad) Watts. She graduated in Maltby, Yorkshire, England. Betty later earned her bachelor’s degree at Upper Iowa University in Fayette and her master’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Betty met Leslie Downs, of the United States Navy, in England and they were united in marriage on July 17, 1944 in Saltash, England. They moved to Independence where they lived for over 20 years and then to Oelwein. Betty taught elementary school in Hazleton and as a middle school special education teacher in Oelwein. After retiring from teaching in 1984, Betty served on the board and then as administrator for eight years at the Alternative Living Corporation group homes in Oelwein. She also served on the Oelwein Community School Board for six years, the Goodwill Board and the Prairie View Board.

Betty was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Oelwein Retired Teachers Association, Tuesday Tourist Club and University Women.

Betty is survived by her 2 sons: Roger (Renee) Downs of Ashburn, Virginia and Steven (Barbara) Downs of Streamwood, Illinois; Daughter-in-law: Roxie Downs of Altoona; 8 grandchildren: Jennifer Connors, Blake Downs, Jody Downs, Kacey Gallagher, Molly Bougger, Emma Downs, Elizabeth Sauer & Andrew Sauer; Several Great Grandchildren and Sister: Audrey Nancarrow of Saltash, England.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Leslie on May 5, 1995; daughter: Patricia Downs; son: Michael Downs; grandson: Jason Downs and her family in England: brother: Arthur Watts and 3 sisters: Jeanne Eggins, Ann Allen and Maureen Yelland.