Elizabeth Downs
January 1, 1970 ~ November 1, 2009
Elizabeth “Bette” Downs passed away on November 1, 2009, All Saints Day, at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, at the age of 83.
Elizabeth Eugenia Wyer was born on November 7, 1925, in Georgetown, MN, the daughter of Margaret and Joseph F. Wyer. Her family moved to Hillsboro in 1937. She then moved with her family to Inglewood, CA in 1940. She graduated from Inglewood High School at the age of 16. She attended Western Union School and worked as a teletype operator.
Bette married Daniel Downs on June 18, 1945 at St. John’s Hyde Park Catholic Church in Inglewood, CA, while he was in the US Navy. She worked as a bookkeeper for a furniture store until Daniel was discharged from the Navy.
They moved to Hillsboro, ND, and began farming. They moved to Grandin, ND and continued farming. They returned to Hillsboro in 1960 and retired from farming in 1994.
Bette was an active member of the family farming partnership. Tractor driving, grain hauling and delivering home made meals were all part of her contributions.
Bette was a member of C.Y.O. in Inglewood, CA, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rose Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She assisted with the organization of the St. Rose of Lima CCD program, taught for 13 years and did secretarial work for the program. She also served as president of the St. Rose Altar Society.
She loved and cared for her family. Her grandchildren were a source of joy and she was always very interested in their lives. She found great delight in seeing and interacting with her great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel; son, Greg (Mary Jo) of Hillsboro; daughter, Joanne (John) Reed of Brooten, MN; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren. Bette was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Patricia; 2 brothers, Thomas and Joseph; and a daughter, Pamela.
VISITATION: 5:30-7 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro, ND – and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Wednesday
PRAYER SERVICE: 7 PM Tuesday at St. Rose of Lima
FUNERAL MASS: 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
BURIAL: St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Hillsboro
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Wildeman Funeral Home in Hillsboro.
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Elizabeth sounds like a beautiful soul. I hope her children and grandchildren still cherish her precious memory.