Joan L. Downing

Joan Downing, 87, of Fontanelle, passed away Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at her home in Fontanelle. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery. Desserts and fellowship will be at the funeral home following the burial. Open visitation will be held from 2-7 p.m., with the family to greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 5 at the funeral home. The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the city of Fontanelle for the July 4th celebration. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Joan Lucille Downing was born Aug. 2, 1936, the daughter of Edward and Eva (Nelson) Lowe in Adair County. Joan grew up on a farm near Richland and attended school in Richland. On Jan. 19, 1952, she married the love of her life, Don Downing. To this union four children were born: Dennis, Richard, Sherilyn and Bradley.

Over the years Joan worked as a CNA for Good Samaritan Society for several years, as a secretary for Sterling McLaren for a few years and then started her own business, Downing Upholstery, which she did for many years. She enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., rodeos, sports, the Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football teams and especially loved her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don in 2023; infant son, Bradley and brother, Gene Lowe.

She is survived by her two sons, Dennis (Julie) Downing of Panora and Richard (Mary) Downing of Denver, Colorado; daughter, Sherilyn (Vern) Whitman of Fontanelle; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.