Kathy Downer

Kathy Downer, 54, of Massena passed away on Friday, July 8, 2011, at the Cass County Hospice Center in Atlantic.

Celebration of Life Services: Sunday, July 10, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the CAM Middle School in Massena with pastor Jon Greenlee officiating.

Memorials: To the Kathy Downer memorial fund to be established by the family.

Kathy Elaine Downer was born August 21, 1956, to Howard and Ruth Elaine (Swanson) Sandeen in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She passed away on Friday, July 8, 2011, at the Cass County Hospice Center in Atlantic, Iowa, at the age of 54.

Kathy graduated from Prairie Community High School in 1974. She attended Waldorf College in Forest City for two years and transferred to Buena Vista College at Storm Lake graduating in 1978 with an education degree. She furthered her education at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville receiving an endorsement in special education. In her youth Kathy was a top notch multi-sport athlete. Track and softball were her favorites; she played softball for her college teams. She also coached softball and track and was a supportive coach's wife and sports mom to her children, as well as area children.

On July 15, 1978, she was united in marriage to Dean Downer in Gowrie, Iowa. To this union two children were born, Nathan and Alison. They lived in Newell, Iowa until they moved to Massena in 1981, where they raised their family. She taught for 15 years at C&M Community Schools in Massena and Anita Community School.

Kathy's love and talent for quilting grew over the years. Her creations have been enjoyed by countless new babies, newlyweds, and friends lucky enough to receive one for a gift.

Love for her family, friends, and community were a testament to her faith.

She was preceded in death by her son, Nathan Dean Downer; and father, Howard Sandeen.

She is survived by her husband, Dean Downer of Massena; daughter, Alison Downer of Massena; mother, Ruth Elaine Sandeen of Gowrie, Iowa; brother, Steve Sandeen and wife Jackie of Paton, Iowa; other relatives and a host of friends.