Marjorie Downs, age 87, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin died Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral service for Marge will be Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Community Bible Church in Spring Valley.
Visitation will be Monday, May 3 from 5-7 p.m. at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley.
Burial will be in Tillinghast Cemetery, New Auburn, Wisconsin.
Marjorie Jeanette Downs, born in Grantsburg, Wisconsin on September 21, 1933, to Klaus and Olga Mangelsen, passed away peacefully at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, April 29th, 2021 at the age of 87.
Marge married her high school sweetheart Kenneth Marek in January 1951. They had four children Debby, Steve, Mike and Jim. Kenny joined the Army and they were stationed in Missouri, Germany and California. After Kenny got out of the Army they returned to Grantsburg and purchased the bakery there. Marge worked in the bakery with her husband and children and also sold her delicious homemade potato salad and baked beans. Customers would say it was the best potato salad they had ever had and some traveled miles to buy it!
Marge was widowed in 1970. She married Max Downs on October 12, 1974. Max had four children of his own Michael, Dennis, Diane and Patricia. So together they had eight children and enjoyed spending family time together. Max worked for the telephone company in Spring Valley, Wisconsin and they decided to sell the house in Grantsburg and move to Spring Valley. Marge took a job working in the front office of the telephone company and worked there for 17 years. She enjoyed greeting the customers and assisting them in paying their bills.
Marge was a wonderful, patient and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was always very generous with her love, gifts and time. When she wasn't spending time with her family, she enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling in their RV and spending time at their cabin.
Marge is survived by her sisters Louise Davidsavor, Lucille (Jerry) Schwem, her children Debby Segelstrom, Steve (Cindy) Marek, Michael (Mary) Downs, Mike Marek, Dennis (Jodi) Downs, Patricia Foss and Son-in-law Craig Bennett. Nineteen grandchildren, forty two great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Marge was preceded in death by her parents Klaus and Olga Mangelsen. Siblings Beverly Manthie, Shirley Winget, Ardell Mangelsen, Lois Stensgard, and Lorna Freeman. Husband Kenneth Marek and Max Downs. Children Jim Marek, Diane Bennett and Son-in-Law Jeff Segelstrom.
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