Margaret Bernighaus Downing 1914-2006

DOWNING, MEYER, BERNIGHAUS, SHAW, SHEFF

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 6/11/2007 at 18:39:45

West Bend Journal; West Bend, Palo Alto, Iowa; Thursday, June 22, 2006 page 2

Margaret Downing, 91
1914-2006

Funeral services were held for Margaret M. Downing of Newton, Friday, June 16, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Newton, Iowa, with Rev. John Moore officiating.

Casket Bearers were Robert Davis, Kevin Downing, Jeff Downing, Steve Downing, Dennis Howe and Steve Davis.

Honorary Casket Bearers were Kent Downing, Roger Sheff, David Sheff and Kelly Sheff.

Interment was Saturday, June 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the West Bend Cemetery West Bend, Iowa with Rev. Dennis Angland officiating.

Margaret M. Downing, the daughter of William and Amelia Meyer Bernighaus, was born June 23, 1914, in Whittemore, Iowa. She graduated from high school in West Bend, Iowa.

On December 12, 1938, Margaret was united in marriage with Rex E. Downing in Story City, Iowa. Margaret had worked for Kreges in Marshalltown, Iowa, and for the Newton Community School District in custodial and housekeeping. Margaret loved her family. She enjoyed her ladies coffee group, of which she was a part for 43 years, playing bingo, reading Portals of Prayer and working he search-a-word books. Margaret was a charter member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Newton.

On Friday, June 9, 2006, Margaret died at U.S.A. Healthcare in Newton. She was 91 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rex; her son, Jerry; her brothers, Hugo, Rudolf and Louis Berninghaus and her sister, Johanna Schmeling.

Those left to honor Margaret’s memory include her daughters, Sharon R. Shaw of Ockalawah, Florida and Barbara F. Downing of Newton, Iowa; her daughter-in-law, Ann Downing Sheff of Broomfield, Colorado; her two grandchildren, Kevin Downing and Kent (Susan) Downing; her three step grandchildren, Roger (Angie) Sheff, David (Dawn) Sheff, Kelly Sheff; her two great grandchildren and her three step great grandchildren.

Pense Reese Funeral Home of Newton handled arrangements.