Joan Downing, 87, of Fontanelle

Funeral Services:  Will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery.  Desserts and fellowship will be at the funeral home following the burial.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the City of Fontanelle for the July 4^th Celebration.

Joan Lucille Downing was born on August 2, 1936, in Adair County, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Eva (Nelson) Lowe.  She passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024, at her home in Fontanelle, Iowa, at the age of 87.

Joan grew up on a farm near Richland and attended school in Richland.  On January 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 US, 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 Downing and wife Julie of Panora and Richard Downing and wife Mary of Denver, Colorado; daughter, Sherilyn Whitman and husband Vern of Fontanelle; ten grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.