Kerry Dawn Downing, 72, of Park City, MT, passed away peacefully in her home on January 16, 2019.
She was born in Miles City, MT, on December 18, 1946, daughter of the late Floyd and Annie Dowlin of Forsyth, Montana.
Kerry married Robert L. Downing on July 3, 1968, later settling in Park City, MT, where they raised their four children, Robin, Chrisann, Bobby and Steve.
Kerry joined the Army in 1965; she was trained as a Medical Corpsman and soon became an esteemed member of the first cardiac surgical team at Deaconess-Billings Clinic. Kerry continued to work in surgery for the next 32 years; her true love was open-heart surgery. She was an expert surgical technician who trained many through the years. During her breaks, she could be found knitting baby blankets for fellow staff members. Kerry did ceramics for over 45 years, was an active member of the Montana State Ceramic Association and won numerous awards. Kerry never stopped making Christmas ornaments for her loved ones which will be cherished and passed down for generations to come. Her favorite hobby was teaching ceramics to her children, grandchildren and 4-H members. Other hobbies included bowling, cross-stitching, stained glass and quilting. Kerry loved collecting Elvis memorabilia and in 2004 she visited Graceland, which was a lifelong dream. Kerry’s greatest passion was spending time with her family; you could often hear her miles away cheering on her grandkids at sporting events. Some of her favorite memories were camping and fishing with her family. Kerry will be remembered for her loyalty, generosity and her willingness to help anyone in need. She was a true friend, an incredible mother and even greater grandma who will be truly missed.
Kerry is survived by her husband of 50 years; her children Robin (Kathi) Dowlin, Christine (Dirk) Pattee, Bobby (Sandy) Downing, Steve (Shanna) Downing, her sister Sandee Dowlin and brother Buck Dowlin. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Seth, Caitlin, Adair, Brittany, Makayla, Corbin, Zach, Landon and Ashleigh. Ally a great-granddaughter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Kerry was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Dale McKerlich, Doug, Robin Dowlin and Wanda Dowlin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 22 at First Congregational Church in Laurel, MT. Interment with military honors will be held at Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, MT. The family would like you to join them at the church for a reception following the committal service.
If desired, friends may make donations to either The Park City Ambulance Service or The Park City Volunteer Fire Department.
kathy nordahl says
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Karen Frison says
So sorry to hear about your Mom, so sad..she was sweet lady…I am sending my condolences to you and the family
EDWARD THURNER says
We are very sorry for recent loss. I am sure she will be badly missed.
Melanie Kessel says
I works with kerry for years. love he as a great scrub and friend. sorry to here of her passing. rest in peace love melanie kessel
Sharon Wetsch says
I was so sorry to hear that Kerry passed. I am sure she was met with open arms by her Mom and brothers.
She is probably striking up a conversation with her hero – Elvis!! Heaven got a special angel.. RIP Kerry….
Eleanor Gradwohl says
Sending prayers to family. Enjoyed bowling with Kerry back in the day. loved our out of town State bowling adventures. So sorry for your loss…
Jim & Cheri Pattee says
To all of Kerry’s family, we are very sorry for your loss. Hope you all find comfort in knowing how much she loved you. She lived for all of you. We remember Kerry as a very special lady, in addition to being our cherished daughter-in-law’s Mom. She added a lot of fun and companionship to our many excursions for the grandkids’ ball games. We have many very fond memories of her and we are so glad we had that chance to get to know her better. You all surely have another angel watching over you now.
Rose Borger & Todd Dobrzynski says
I’m so very sorry for your loss and the heartbreak you are all going through right now. Please know I’m praying that God will provide the peace and comfort you each need as you move through the days, weeks and months ahead. She is now resting peacefully and enjoying with our lord and savior in Heaven. God bless and love you all.
Peggy Redman & Earl Mortensen says
To Kerry’s family,
Earl joins me in expressing our heartfelt sympathy in the passing of a wonderful woman. She lived life to the fullest, her legacy will live on in her family and friends. May you find comfort in warm memories, and in knowing that many caring hearts are holding you close at this difficult time. The world has lost a great person, and a caring heart. Today we all share in your sorrow. May you fondly remember her beautiful spirit, her giving heart, and the many lives she touched in her time here on earth.
Gabi Weiss says
My sincere Condolence to all the Family! So sorry to hear of her passing!
Sincerely,
Gabriele Weiss
Janet Luttschwager says
Kerry was an awesome lady whom touched so many lives. She will be truly missed by all. Kerm and I wish only fun and fond memories to her family and friends.Thoughts and prayers go out to all.
Jules Pietschman says
Kerry was a great scrub who helped me learn to scrub hearts too. I have a set of ceramic angels I treasure that grace our Christmas table every year. She touched so many lives with her kindness. RIP my friend. I know your kindness will continue to flow from heaven and bless us still.
Robert Fee says
The Fee Family,
We send our prayers to all of her family
Paula K Roos says
RIP, Kerry. To Kerry’s family, please know that Kerry left her mark in so many ways with her excellence and kindness and loyalty. She set the bar very high with her early work in the cardiac surgery OR and is still thought of admirably for that role. I also have a set of ceramic Christmas ornaments that are adorable and cherished every year as they grace our tree. Thank you for sharing your wife, mom, sister, auntie, grandma, and great-grandma with the rest of us. Peace.
Teresa Cox says
I worked with Kerry for years at Billings Clinic. I surprised her at home a couple times. Once was with an Elvis collection doll and again with an Elvis rug. She was so grateful. I will miss seeing her around. Fly high my friend. God bless.
Linda Geiger says
Loved working with Kerry for years on the OR. A beautiful ceramic nativity set she made has accompanied me through all my moves and it blesses every Christmas. She was so loved.
Donna Jordan says
Condolences and prayers to the family. I have a set of ceramic bears that Kerry made as a gift for my Dad. Was a great lady and made me feel like part of the family as I was away from mine for several years working in Laurel at the refinery on a construction project.
Darlene Dibble says
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom and the loss to the rest of the family. She was a special friend. Good to know she is finally at peace,
she went through a lot and put up a courageous fight. Such a strong lady!
We had a lot of good times in and out of the OR . Whatever she did, she did well. I have a lot of her ceramics, S/P shakers by the dozen, the whole herd of reindeer, nativity scenes, Christmas trees and etc, all of which I love.
She will be missed by many and is taking care of her family from a better place.
Love and prayers
Darlene
Denise Rich says
Steve, So sorry for the loss of your mother, the video tribute was beautiful, you can tell she was an awesome person.
My prayers go out to you and your family.
Mike and Lorrie Bernhardt says
To Bob and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. May God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow.
Corina (Fredericks) Schwarzinger says
I am very sorry to learn of the loss of Kerry. So many of us knew her from our work in surgery together, for her devoted work as a surgical technician, her beautiful ceramic decorations that she blessed almost everyone with, her stories of her family and friends, her love of Elvis, and her wonderful laugh. It was hard to watch her struggle later in life with health issues, but knew it was harder for her to not be able to do the job that she so loved doing.
My prayers are with her family, and I will always remember this wonderful lady, and am thankful that I have solid reminders of her love of ceramics on my Christmas tree yearly!
Carol Henning says
So sorry to hear of Kerry’s passing, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I worked for many years with Kerry in surgery, she was very proud of her children , had a wonderful sense of humor, and was a very dedicated and skilled OR tech. I also have several of her beautiful ceramics, every time I get out my Halloween, Easter or Christmas decorations I think of her. God bless you Kerry and Rest In Peace.
Leona Whetham says
I’m so sorry that we were unable to attend Kerry’s service. There is so little one can say, so little one can do, but you are not alone for others share your sorrow too.
Our Prayers Are With You.
Leona and John Whetham
Sherry Gieser says
So sorry to hear the news. I just wanted you to know how much all our girls enjoyed working with Kerry on their ceramics projects over the years. She had a gift of encouraging perfection, without ever discouraging their efforts. Please know our prayers are with you all.
Christine Pattee says
Thank you all for sharing your memories and kind words, they’ve help to lift our spirits. Thank you Stevenson and Sons for your grace and understanding with our family as we work through this tremendous loss. God Bless to everyone. ChrisAnn