Dorothy Mae Downs, 103, of Taylorville, formerly of Nokomis, died on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Taylorville.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home, located at 200 E. State St. in Nokomis. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Brian Johnston officiating. Burial will follow at Nokomis Cemetery.
Mrs. Downs was born on March 17, 1921, in Nokomis Township to Ralph and Olive (Sanders) Holmes. She married William T. Downs at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Nov. 16, 1941 and they enjoyed over 56 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on Feb. 10, 1998. She was a graduate of Nokomis High School with the class of 1939.
She began her career working at Nokomis Grain Elevator before her marriage. She was active during her and her husband’s time on their farm. Most importantly, they raised two daughters. She raised chickens, gardened, canned fruits and vegetables and worked hand in hand in the daily farming chores. She sewed beautifully, making many of her daughters’ clothes and teaching them to sew. She later started quilting, creating many beautiful quilts. She was continually active at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Nokomis. She was a member of Evening Circle and was a council member and officer many times. She was always ready to help the church whenever anyone called with a need.
She is survived by her daughters, Norma Jean (Ray) Reck of Cerro Gordo and Martha J. (Dan) Nantkes of Lake Ozark, MO; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Jean Herzog of Excelsior Springs, MO.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Mildred Dixon, Janelda Hill and Rosalie Johnson.
Memorials are suggested by her family to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 N. Webster St. Taylorville, IL 62568.
Condolences may be left at www.stiehldawsonfh.com.
