Esther Downing

Esther Downing, 96, of Barnesville, MN died on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Golden Manor Assisted Living in Barnesville. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 17, 2016 at St. James United Church of Christ with Pastor Wendy Ward officiating. Burial will follow in Rosemound Cemetery, Barnesville. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Wednesday, March 16, at Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville, MN; and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Esther B. Brodsho was born on February 26, 1920 to Lawrence and Olga (Thompson) Brodsho near Mahnomen. She was raised in a family of 10 siblings. She grew up in Mahnomen and attended a country school. She was united in marriage to Orval M. Downing on June 11, 1938 at Ogema, MN. They lived at Wauban and Bejou, MN where they began farming. They moved to Barnesville in 1943 where they continued to farm for 20 years. Esther was a caring mother, grandmother, and friend and will be greatly missed. Her hobbies included bowling for over 47 years. She was a longtime member of St. James Church and enjoyed helping out there. She also liked to crochet, embroider dishtowels, that she sold at the fair, and made many rag rugs. Esther is survived by her daughter Joyce (Thomas) Noyes, St. Croix, MN; 8 grandchildren: Karyn Noyes, Barb Noyes-Radi, Debora Frick, Sheryl Bernier, Karen Batton, David Downing, Paul Downing, and Ryan Downing, and many great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Orval in 1984; and two sons: DeLore and LuVern, and 10 siblings. Esther B. Downing