Evelyn Lydia Downing

Evelyn Lydia Downing, 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on June 6, 2026, at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, Iowa.

Evelyn was born on August 17, 1927, in Pulaski, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Irene Helmick.

She attended and graduated from Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, Iowa.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Ralph E. Downing, Jr. on June 12, 1946, and three children were born to this union: Ronald Downing, Roger Downing, and Nancy Palmer.

Evelyn was a devoted wife to her husband, Ralph, and mother to her children.

Evelyn was an active member of Rising Sun Church of Christ in Pleasant Hill. She was an active member of Golden Star Rebekah Lodge #352 and Ft. Des Moines Odd Fellows Lodge #25 in Des Moines. She worked at various Des Moines Public Schools for many years for the Metro Kids Program, which served children before and after school.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Harry and Irene Helmick; husband, Ralph Downing; son, Roger Downing; grandchildren, Rhonda Barns and Holly Downing; sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine Lough (Johnny); brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harvey and Marilyn Downing; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Reed and Marilyn Inman; sister-in-law, Janice Stufflebeam; and brother-in-law, Martin Zylstra.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Ronald Downing (Cindy) and Nancy Palmer (Al Binning); brother-in-law, Bill Stufflebeam; sister-in-law, Sue (Darrell) Downing; grandchildren, Craig (Pam) Downing, Mart Downing, Stacy Downing, Greg; great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Zach, Jacob, Antonio (Camille), Courtney, Cody, and Casey; great-great-grandchildren, Veda, Apollo, Brynlee, Coison, Sawyer, Tayven, and Morgan.

Evelyn will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will greet friends from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Rising Sun Church of Christ, 6390 NE Rising Sun Drive, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Rising Sun Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rising Sun Church of Christ in loving memory of Evelyn.

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