Downing, Rosalie

Rosalie Alice Downing, born April 16, 1916, was a daughter, 
wife, mother, great-grandmother, and fortunate enough to be 
a great-great-grandmother. As the youngest of five children, 
she was happy and playful, with a spark of mischief. At the 
age of 18, she married Roger Downing and began raising their 
family in Barnesville, Minn. As a farm wife and mother of 
four, Rosalie knew how to work hard, love deeply, and keep 
the family structured. The family stayed centered by her 
fabulous meals and excursions to the lake. Rosalie always 
made room for company and even helped raise her husband's 
sister, Ruth Eizel. As a grandmother, she knew nothing but 
compassion. She was never too busy to teach and play a game 
of Chicken-scratch or Go-fish. She also enjoyed taking the 
grandchildren for long walks to "hunt" for treasures in the 
woods. She had grandchildren in her life when she could truly 
love and spend time with them, and they were truly blessed by 
her presence in their lives. Rosalie was also very fortunate 
to have many great and great-great-grandchildren whom she also 
loved dearly. Through her life, Rosalie was continually 
surrounded by her friends and hobbies. Her church family and 
friends were cherished and depended upon for a spirited game 
of bridge, bingo, Skip-bo, or canasta. She made an art and 
hobby out of garage sales and antique shop excursions. She 
enjoyed traveling and visited many places such as Germany, 
Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Europe. Above all 
else, she filled her heart with the spirit of the Lord and is 
being welcomed into her place in Heaven. Rosalie was preceded 
in death by her mother, Clara Belle Ladwig; father, Frank Ladwig; 
siblings, Arthur Ladwig, Howard Ladwig, Nora Cooley, and Helen 
Egge; and granddaughter, Sherry Downing. She is survived by her 
children: Robert Downing; Judy and husband, Richard Sink; Jerry 
and wife, Nikki Downing; Rita and husband, Michael Willett; 10 
grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-
grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, December 
29, 2006, in the chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Longview, with 
the Reverend Tom Roberson officiating. Interment will follow in 
Lakeview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations 
would be graciously accepted for the Billy Graham Association or 
Prestonwood Academy Scholarship Fund. A memorial guestbook may be 
signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 12/29/2006.