Obituary for Jolene Downing (Giesken)
1957-2022
Mary “Jolene” Downing
Jolene Downing age 64 went to her eternal home in Heaven on Monday, February 21, 2022, at home surrounded by her family.
Jolene was born October 22, 1957, in Maryville, Missouri, to Joseph and Virgie (Heathco) Giesken from Quitman, Missouri. Her grandparents were Joe and Lula Giesken, Burlington Junction and Frank and Lena Heathco, Warrensburg, Missouri.
Jolene was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and a sister, Mary Frances and father-in-law Gail Downing.
Jolene graduated from Maryville High School Class of 1975 and she also attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville.
Jolene married her high school sweetheart, Jerald James Downing, starting their life together in 1977 at the Laura Street Baptist Church in Maryville. They were blessed with four children,
son Jerod (Jennifer) Downing, Burlington Jct., daughter Verlena (Micah) Coston, Maryville,
son James (Karamaneh) Downing, Burlington Jct., daughter Valyssa (Tyler) Stark, Burlington Jct., the blessings continued with the addition of 17 grandchildren, Imajen, Lyric and Jewel Downing, Jolyssa, Jerrica, Joel, Judah, and Leyna Joy Coston, Journee, Lula, Truley, Joseph and Galyn Downing, Milena, Jovey, Vivian and Tylee Jolene Stark, Mother-in-Love, Shirley Downing, Maryville, sisters and brothers-in-laws Gayla and Les Stevens, Rochester, Minnesota, Jeanie and Kevin Harding, Allendale, Missouri, six nephews and nieces , Blake, Bruce and Brock Stevens, Emily (Brad) Maudlin, Abbey (Ben) Clarkson, Lucas (Josee) Harding, Aunt Monica Zirfas, Maryville.
Jolene was a homemaker and farm wife. She was a member and long time Sunday School Teacher at Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #315, Burlington Jct, and a 4-H leader for many years.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM, Friday, February 25, 2022, at Laura Street Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Laura Street Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Nodaway Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Maryville.
In lieu of flowers it was Jolene’s wish that memorials be given to Laura Street Baptist Church Children and Youth Programs.
Arrangements: Andrews-Hann Funeral Home, Grant City, Missouri. andrewshannfuneralhome.com
Mary “Jolene” Downing
Jolene Downing age 64 went to her eternal home in Heaven on Monday, February 21, 2022, at home surrounded by her family.
Jolene was born October 22, 1957, in Maryville, Missouri, to Joseph and Virgie (Heathco) Giesken from Quitman, Missouri. Her grandparents were Joe and Lula Giesken, Burlington Junction and Frank and Lena Heathco, Warrensburg, Missouri.
Jolene was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and a sister, Mary Frances and father-in-law Gail Downing.
Jolene graduated from Maryville High School Class of 1975 and she also attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville.
Jolene married her high school sweetheart, Jerald James Downing, starting their life together in 1977 at the Laura Street Baptist Church in Maryville. They were blessed with four children,
son Jerod (Jennifer) Downing, Burlington Jct., daughter Verlena (Micah) Coston, Maryville,
son James (Karamaneh) Downing, Burlington Jct., daughter Valyssa (Tyler) Stark, Burlington Jct., the blessings continued with the addition of 17 grandchildren, Imajen, Lyric and Jewel Downing, Jolyssa, Jerrica, Joel, Judah, and Leyna Joy Coston, Journee, Lula, Truley, Joseph and Galyn Downing, Milena, Jovey, Vivian and Tylee Jolene Stark, Mother-in-Love, Shirley Downing, Maryville, sisters and brothers-in-laws Gayla and Les Stevens, Rochester, Minnesota, Jeanie and Kevin Harding, Allendale, Missouri, six nephews and nieces , Blake, Bruce and Brock Stevens, Emily (Brad) Maudlin, Abbey (Ben) Clarkson, Lucas (Josee) Harding, Aunt Monica Zirfas, Maryville.
Jolene was a homemaker and farm wife. She was a member and long time Sunday School Teacher at Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #315, Burlington Jct, and a 4-H leader for many years.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM, Friday, February 25, 2022, at Laura Street Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Laura Street Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Nodaway Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Maryville.
In lieu of flowers it was Jolene’s wish that memorials be given to Laura Street Baptist Church Children and Youth Programs.
Arrangements: Andrews-Hann Funeral Home, Grant City, Missouri. andrewshannfuneralhome.com