Vernon Downing

Vernon Charles Downing was born on April 14, 1928, in Rural Taunton to Charles and Magdalene (Swedzinski) Downing. He attended District 6 Grade School and graduated from Minneota High School. On September 12, 1949, Vernon was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Baumann in Bird Island. Vernon lived and farmed his whole life in Rural Taunton. He loved feeding and raising cattle and continued this until health issues limited him near the end of his life. He was very talented at mixing rations and supplements for feeding cattle. Although he loved farming, Vernon was most passionate about his family. He was very personable and enjoyed visiting with everyone. Once Vernon met someone, they were no longer a “stranger.” He loved to tell stories, he loved to laugh and to make others laugh. Vernon had striking blue eyes with a twinkle. He also inherited a sweet tooth and passed it down to his children. He loved chocolate, pepsi, and eating a “little” ice cream with Hershey’s Syrup. He also enjoyed making homemade sausage. Vernon and Mary enjoyed dancing on Saturday nights. He also enjoyed playing Rolle Bolle and felt it was very important to teach his children to play 500. Vernon died on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at the Sanford Health Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Those left to cherish his memories include his wife, Mary, of Taunton, daughter Joan (and Mike) Winter of Marshall, their son Tim, son Jim (and Kay) Downing of Florence, AL, their children Kris, Andy, Anna and Catherine, son Jerry Downing of Austin, MN, daughter Marlys (and Bill) Anderson, of Tucson, AZ, stepsons Chris and Aaron, son Mike (and Alice) of Minneota, their children Carrie and Keith, daughter Marcia (and Ron) Foss of Maple Grove, daughter Lonna Rae (and Rick) Konold of Minneota, daughters Maggie, Addie and Katie, daughter LaVonne of Richfield, and sister Dorothy Mellendorf, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Harriet Persoon and brother Donald Downing.