Laura Louisa (Brown) Downing (1870-1952)

BROWN, DOWNING, FANCHER, BALL, DAVIS, LUING, JACOBSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/18/2013 at 12:34:34

From Collins Gazette March 1952

Funeral services for Mrs. Ellsworth Downing were conducted Saturday afternoon, March 8, 1952, at 2:00 o'clock in the Evangelical United Brethern Church in Collins. The Rev. Paul Vared of Cedar Falls, a former pastor of the E. U. B. Church, was in charge of the service. The music was by Mrs. Florence Mead, Pianist, and by Mrs. Cleota Durk and Mrs. Margaet Struthers who sang the selections Mrs. Downing had chosen for her funeral services, as follows: "It is Well Wich My Soul", "Beautiful Isles of Somewhere", and "Saved By Grace."

The many beautiful floral tributes were cared for by Mrs. Anna Moses and Mrs. Milton Hale. The casket bearers were neighbors as follows: Alva Elliott, Allen Struthers, Robert Johnson, Arley Wolf, Everett Kelderhouse, and Sam Hyatt. Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery at Collins, Iowa.

Laura Louisa Downing, daughter of Louisa Fancher Brown and Levi Brown, was born near Collins, Iowa Nov. 22, 1870, and passed away in her home near Collins, March 5, 1952, aged 81 years, 3 months and 12 days. She was the youngest of a family of ten children all of whom preceded her in death.

On March 25, 1890, she was united in marriage with Ellsworth Downing at Nevada, Iowa. To them were born 6 children, 2 sons and 4 daughters who with the widower survive. They are Crescy E. Ball and Ethel G. Davis both of Eldora, Ica G. Luing of Collins, George L. Downing of Beowarne, Nevada, Esther D. Jacobson and Kenneth E. Downing of Collins.

With the exception of 9 years spent in Marshalltown, Mr. and Mrs. Downing have lived all of their married lives in the Collins Community. When a young woman she was converted, and united with the Willow Creek United Brethern Church, later transferring her membership to the United Brethern Church in Marshalltown. She was a loyal and faithful member, and worker in the various departments of her church organization until her health began to fail a number of years ago. She was a good wife and mother, and her passing will be mourned by her family, her many relatives, and a host of friends.