Berniece Downing

Berniece June Downing, the daughter of Lynn Wells and Clara Belle (Kirkpatrick) Antisdel, was born on June 7, 1924 in Adams County near Nevinville, Iowa. Berniece entered eternal rest on February 23, 2015 at Greater Regional Medical Center, Creston, Iowa at the age of ninety years.
Berniece lived in Adams and Union County all of her life. She graduated from Nevinville High School with the Class of 1940. On September 12, 1943 she married J. Paul Downing in Nevinville, Iowa.
Bernice was a homemaker and farm wife. She also cooked at the Knotty Pine Restaurant preparing the brunches. Berniece was inducted into the Iowa Bowling Hall of Fame. She also loved playing softball and was an outstanding pitcher. Berniece was a huge supporter of all Creston Athletics and followed her grandchildren to all their sporting events. She was also an avid Cyclone Fan and a member of the Eagles Lodge. Berniece provided homemade cookies to the men in the farm fields, and she enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and maintaining the yard around the house.
Left to cherish Berniece’s memory is her husband , J. Paul Downing, Creston; her son, Rich (Mary) Downing, Creston; her daughter, Judy (Dennis) Loudon, Afton; Eight Grandchildren: Todd (Lesa) Downing, Creston; Brett (Kathy) Downing, LaVista, NE; Kasey (Jody) Downing, Creston; Cody (Jenni) Downing, Creston; Chris (Ashley) Downing, Creston; Traci (Tom) Lust, Des Moines; Brook (Cody) Adams, Lenox; and Clint Williamson, Afton; Eighteen Great-Grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Preceding Berniece in death were her parents; two brothers: Lawrence Antisdel and Lyle Antisdel; and her sister: Bonnie Blazek.