Charlotte Downie

Memorial services for Charlotte Downie, age 73, of Bloomfield, are at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 at United Methodist Church, Bloomfield. Inurnment will beÂ in the Bloomfield City Cemetery. The Reverend Timothy Pratt will officiate. She passed away Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 at Whispering Pines in Plainview, NE. Charlotte Ann Van Houten was born February 8, 1938 at Doc Greens in Niobrara NE. In 1941 the Van Houten family moved to rural Bloomfield. Charlotte became a member of the United Methodist Church on March 29, 1953. She attended school in Bloomfield graduating in 1957. While in high school she was a member of the pep club, played clarinet in the band, and was involved in many other activities such as sewing. Upon graduation Charlotte took a job at Bloomfield's local creamery where she was employed until marriage. In 1957 Charlotte met Dale Lee Downie who owned a farm just East of Bloomfield. Charlotte and Dale were married April 13, 1958 at the United Methodist Church in Bloomfield. Dale and Charlotte farmed East of Bloomfield where she actively helped with the daily chores and baking goodies for the church on the side. Charlotte also loved gardening; especially tomatoes, beautiful flowers and gathering wild fruit. In 1966 Charlotte and Dale moved to their home in Bloomfield where she resided until 1984. In that time frame her husband Dale became a resident of the Bloomfield Good Samaritan Center where she would take daily trips to spend many hours caring for her husband while she was raising her two children. In 1984, because of health reasons, Charlotte and Dale moved to Norfolk, NE to be near their children for assistance. Charlotte's husband passed away in 1988. After Dale's passing, Charlotte moved to Wausa, NE where she resided at the Golden Care facility until December 2011. Her family transferred her to Whispering Pines in Plainview, NE in December under the care of her two granddaughters and the rest of the wonderful staff where she passed away with her family by her side on January 30, 2012. Charlotte's survivors include her son Craig Lee Downie of Yankton, SD, and daughter Cheri Jean (Chad) Carlson of Osmond, NE. Grandchildren: Joshua (Kathy) Downie, Justin (Reina) Downie, Jacob Downie, Tony (Emily) Fuerhoff, Jeff (Jesscia) Fuerhoff, Cindy (Montana) Miller, Sandy Fuerhoff, Adam Ernesti, Lonie Ernesti, Austin Ernesti, 15 great grandchildren, sister Frances (Donald) Robinette, brother Gerald Van Houten, sister-in-law Karen (Gene) Suing, brother-in-laws: Dwight (Peggy) Downie, Dean (Marilyn) Downie, Darrel (Linda) Downie, Jack (Pat) Downie, and Jerry (Lori) Downie. She is preceded in death by her husband Dale, parents Clifford and Florence Van Houten, two infant brothers, her daughter-in-law Lisa Marie Downie, and her brother-in-laws Donovan Downie and Douglas Downie. Honorary pall bearers are Joshua Downie, Justin Downie, Jacob Downie, Tony Fuerhoff, Jeff Fuerhoff, Adam Ernesti, Sandy Fuerhoff, and Cindy Miller. Memorial donations can be sent to 1203 Pasque Circle, Yankton, SD 57078.Â The family would like to thank everyone at Whispering Pines in Plainview, NE for all the wonderful care you gave Charlotte at the end of her life.

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Charlotte Downie

February 8, 1938 - January 30, 2012