Ilene M. Downey

ILENE M. DOWNEY

Cedar Rapids

Ilene M. Downey, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, March 16, 2015, at Northbrook Manor. Per her wishes, no local services will be held. Inurnment will be at a later date in Springfield, Mo.

Ilene was born April 12, 1928, in Newry, Minn., the daughter of Clarence and Elzina Moreland. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1946. She married John Herman on July 30, 1948. They later divorced. They had three children. On Feb. 28, 1975, she married William "Bob" Downey and they lived in Des Moines.

Upon retirement, Bob and Ilene moved to Kimberling City, Mo., where they had a house on Table Rock Lake. They had many close friends there and were involved in church activities at the Methodist Church.

Ilene moved to Village Place in Marion in April 2007 to be closer to Janet and John. Due to health problems she moved to Northbrook Manor in January 2014.

She is survived by daughters, Sandra Mortensen, Burke, Va., and Janet (Terry) Mackey, Ely; son, John (Nancy) Heman, Des Moines; stepdaughter, Susan (Charles) Anderson; stepsons, Steven (Judy) Downey and Tom (Patty) Downey; grandchildren, Jennifer and Jeff (Heather) Mackey, Mathew and Mark Heman; stepgrandchildren, Sarah and Sam Anderson, Mindy (Aiden) Donnelly, Brandon and Tiara Downey: great-grandchildren, Jayden, Spencer and Taylor Mackey; sister-in-law, Maisie Moreland; and many special nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob, in 1988; brothers, Ken, Marvin (Beverly), Edwin (Maebelle), Keith (Micki) and Melvin Moreland; and sister, Ruth Moreland.

The family wishes to thank the loving staffs at Northbrook Manor and Hospice of Mercy.

Ilene had a strong faith and felt "The best way to be missed when you're gone is to stand for something while you're here."

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy or to daughter Janet.