Betty Downing

February 27, 1931 - September 5, 2017

Betty Downing, 86, of Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on September 5, 2017 at the Bloomfield Care Center. She was born February 27, 1931 in Davis County, Iowa to William “Bill” and Cecil Avis Stogdill Farris. Betty was raised in the Troy area and graduated from the Troy Academy. She married Manie C. Downing on May 14, 1949 in Milton, Iowa. He passed away on September 9, 2003. Betty worked as a manager at a craft store in Ottumwa and later managed the Colonial Motel in Ottumwa for many years. She enjoyed all sorts of crafts including crocheting and making stuffed animals. She also enjoyed doing jigsaw and word search puzzles, playing cards, and reading. She is survived by her son, Gary (Suzanna) Downing of Baring, Missouri; daughter, Sharon (David) Boyer of Floris, Iowa; three grandchildren, Ronda (Harlan Van Wyhe) Hipsher, Dakota Downing, Shannon Downing; three great-grandchildren, Brandon (Lindsay) Allen, Kayla Hipsher, Bailey Hipsher; two sisters, Jane (Floyd) Swaim of Floris, Iowa, Sue Richland of Allerton, Iowa; and a brother, Ronnie (Rose) Farris of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Terry Downing; grandson, Monte Comer; and a sister, Helen Rupe. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 8, 2017 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Pastor Matt Froah officiating. Burial will be at the Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Davis County. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Friends of the Bloomfield Public Library.