GRATIOT - Beatrice Deloris Downs completed the circle of life on the 1st day of February, 2014, with her children by her side at the Lafayette Manor in Darlington, WI. Beatrice was born on October 11, 1921 in Apple River, IL to August and Elizabeth (Watson) Plath. She married Verne Downs on July 12, 1941.
Beatrice was a woman of outstanding kindness and warmth, who cared for her family with endless love. She was a loving wife and a wonderful mother who worked alongside her husband while they farmed near Apple River, IL and then near Gratiot, WI until 1970 when they quit farming and built a house in rural Gratiot. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting beautiful afghan comforters, and bird watching, but most of all she cherished her children and grandchildren. Verne and Bea enjoyed traveling out west, music, and dancing. She always put others first, and never turned away anyone or anything that she felt needed her.
Beatrice is survived by her three children, Linda Downs of Ottumwa, IA, LeArdith (David) Jacobson of Argyle, WI, and Randy Downs of Gratiot, WI; ten grandchildren, Dan Downs of Browntown, WI, Denis Martin of South Wayne, WI, James Peevyhouse of Meridian, MS, Walter "Jay" McClendon of Avery, IA, Deanna Conley of Eldon, IA, Justin Myers of Browntown, WI, Robert Jacobson of Monroe, WI, Jesse Jacobson of Olympia, WA, Kate Hipenbecker of McFarland, WI, and Nick Downs of Freeport, IL; a sister-in-law Gayle Kohen of Warren, IL; 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren
Besides her parents and husband, Beatrice was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Leanna Rae Downs, brothers William and Charles (Doris) Plath.
Beatrice is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
A service will be held at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, IL on Saturday February 8th 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
A visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonsfh.com.
Beatrice was a woman of outstanding kindness and warmth, who cared for her family with endless love. She was a loving wife and a wonderful mother who worked alongside her husband while they farmed near Apple River, IL and then near Gratiot, WI until 1970 when they quit farming and built a house in rural Gratiot. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting beautiful afghan comforters, and bird watching, but most of all she cherished her children and grandchildren. Verne and Bea enjoyed traveling out west, music, and dancing. She always put others first, and never turned away anyone or anything that she felt needed her.
Beatrice is survived by her three children, Linda Downs of Ottumwa, IA, LeArdith (David) Jacobson of Argyle, WI, and Randy Downs of Gratiot, WI; ten grandchildren, Dan Downs of Browntown, WI, Denis Martin of South Wayne, WI, James Peevyhouse of Meridian, MS, Walter "Jay" McClendon of Avery, IA, Deanna Conley of Eldon, IA, Justin Myers of Browntown, WI, Robert Jacobson of Monroe, WI, Jesse Jacobson of Olympia, WA, Kate Hipenbecker of McFarland, WI, and Nick Downs of Freeport, IL; a sister-in-law Gayle Kohen of Warren, IL; 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren
Besides her parents and husband, Beatrice was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Leanna Rae Downs, brothers William and Charles (Doris) Plath.
Beatrice is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
A service will be held at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, IL on Saturday February 8th 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
A visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonsfh.com.