Geraldine M. Downes 1922-2006

NORRIS, ECKERMANN, DOWNES

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 2/13/2006 at 16:33:28

Geraldine M. “Gerri” Downes, 83 of Oxford, died unexpectedly Monday, February 13, 2006 at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics surrounded by her family.

Funeral Mass will be held Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Cosgrove with Reverend Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial will be St. Peter’s Cemetery in Cosgrove.
Friends may call Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at Lensing’s in Iowa City. A Catholic Order of Foresters rosary will be held at 3:00 pm Wednesday with a parish vigil service at 7:30 pm. Friends may also call Thursday morning at the parish hall in Cosgrove from 9:00am – 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Peter’s Catholic Church or a fund to establish a freestanding hospice center for the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids area.

Gerri was born May 26, 1922 in Emerson, Nebraska the daughter of Charles and Genevieve (Norris) Eckermann. She grew up in Emerson and attended schools in Cosgrove, graduating from Cosgrove High School. Gerri had lived on family farms near Cosgrove since 1937. She married John D. Downes on January 26, 1944 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. She worked as a cook for 13 years for the Cosgrove and Tiffin schools, retiring in 1981.

Gerri was a member of St. Peter’s Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Altar & Rosary Society and the Diocese Catholic Council Women. She was also a volunteer at Lantern Park Care Center in Coralville.

Gerri is survived by her children:
Sandra (John) Benda of Des Moines,
Daniel (JoAnne) Downes of Oxford,
Lawrence (Emma Lou) Downes of Afton,
Michael (Barbara) Downes of Davenport,
Richard (Kim) Downes of Iowa City,
Denise (Travis) Nitcher of North Liberty,
Jacqueline (Robert) Dykstra of North Liberty;

Brother: Louis (Imelda) Eckermann of Oxford,
Sister: Judith Conner of Coralville,
18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren

several nieces & nephews

Gerri was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John on February 11, 1994 and three brothers, John, Charles Eugene & Matthew.

On-line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com