Margaret Mae Downen

Margaret M. Downen, 94, passed away July 8th, 2015 at her home in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

She was born December 11th, 1920 in Vicksburg, Michigan, to William H. and Mary (Schwengel) Budde. She was a graduate of Remington High School and Lafayette Business College.

On Aug. 2, 1941, she married Carl Downen at St. James Lutheran Church, in Lafayette IN. He preceded her in death on April 23, 2015.

She worked for many years at Crawfordsville High School. In 1967, she and her husband purchased and operated McFarland & Miller Monument Co. (now Crawfordsville Monument Co.) until retirement in 1985.

She and Carl joined "Laborers for Christ", a volunteer organization, helping build Lutheran churches in Colorado, Texas, Utah and Kentucky.

Margaret was an active charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. For many years she delivered Meals on Wheels and also sewed quilt tops for the Binky Patrol.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, playing cards, quilting, and baking. She especially enjoyed being with her family. She was an inspiration to many and was well known for sending letters and cards of encouragement, as well as being generous and willing to help others.

Surviving are two daughters: Karla Hill of Quincy, IL, and Janet (Fred) Clements of Crawfordsville, IN; 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Laurene Mykrantz of Remington, and brother, Robert (Marceline) Budde of Remington.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Alyce Baker; brother, Harold Budde; and sisters, Ada Mroch, Frieda Holley, Henrietta Medley, Hilda Berndt and Ruth Fridell.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday July 12 at Powers-Priebe Funeral Home, 315 S. Washington St., Crawfordsville.

Funeral services will be at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1414 E. Wabash Ave. on Monday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Reverend Steven Shank will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill North Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1414 E. Wabash Ave., or to the Montgomery Co. Community Foundation, P.O. Box 334, Crawfordsville, Indiana. Online condolences may be sent to www.powerspriebefh.com