Emma Marie (Noyes) was born on August 3, 1928, on a farm near Ghent to Camiel and Mary (Dobbelaere) Noyes. She attended country school through the eighth grade and received her sacraments at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. On February 22, 1949, she was united in marriage to Donald Downing. To this union were born children Rich, Diane, Louis, Greg, Colleen and Jean. The couple farmed and raised their family in Alta Vista Township, south of Porter. Emma enjoyed playing cards and Bingo, watching TV, crocheting, baking and gardening. She was most fond of spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Emma died on Tuesday, August 05, 2014, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. She is survived by her children Rich “Fuzzy†(and Joyce) Downing of Minneota, Louis Downing (and special friend Cheryl Raml) of Porter, Colleen (and Kim) Tharp of Hastings, Jean Pequin (and fiancé Al Rubischko) of Gibbon, eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law JoAnn Downing, brother George (and Delores) Noyes, sister-in-law Leona Noyes, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, daughter Diane, son Greg, two stillborn children, brothers Remi (and Annie,) Harry, Mike, sister Martha and granddaughter Joyel.
Memorials preferred to Sts Cyril & Methodius Catholic Cemetery or a charity of the donor’s choice.
