Maude Ellen Pottorff Downing, daughter of Silas and Lucinda Bence Pottorff, was born on a farm in salt Creek Twp in Davis Co., IA, Jan 2, 1880.
She grew to womanhood in the vicinity of her birth and was united in marriage with Alva Downing on Mar 16, 1898, the ceremony having been performed by the Rev (Uncle) Mose Downing of Bloomfield. To this union were born 3 sons, Ansell C., Floyd E., and Ralph E. Downing, all of this community.
Mrs. Downing had been a resident of Davis county her entire life, residing on the same farm for over half a century. because of ill health, she had spent the last 6 months in the home of her eldest son, Ansell, where she quietly passed from earthly life on Sun, Apr 11 at the age of 74y 3m 9d.
Mrs. Downing was a loving mother, a kind friend and neighbor and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She was a member of Mt. Gilead Christian church.
Mrs. Downing was one of a family of 10 children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and companion, Alva Downing, in 1953, and 6 sisters and 2 brothers. Those left to mourn her departure and miss her physical presence include the 3 sons, 4 grandsons, 3 granddaughter, 2 great grandsons, Louise Thompson of Des Moines and a host of more distant relatives and friends.
A light from this household is gone A voice we loved is stilled.
A place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled.
We have to mourn the loss of one, we did our best to save;
Beloved on earth, regretted still, remembered in the grave.
'Twas hard to part with one so dear, we little thought the time was near,
Farewell, dear one, your life is past; our love for you to the end will last
Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Fred D. Sawyer at the Curl Funeral Home, Tues, Apr 13, 1954. Burial in the Rouch cem