Joan Carolyn Downey was born Sept. 6, 1935, in Guthrie, Okla., to John A. Flasch and Marguerite (Reim) Flasch. She lived in Guthrie until the age of 5 when her parents moved to Independence. At the age of 8 her parents moved back to Coyle, Okla. She attended Coyle High School and graduated in 1953. After graduation she worked as a bookkeeper for Lovall Brothers Oil Company and Fairmont. In 1971 she graduated from Neosho County Community College.
On Feb. 25, 1956, she married Charles Downey of Coyle. They were the parents of three children, Randy, Carrie, and Stephanie. In 1960 they moved to Kansas. She was a homemaker and ranch wife until their youngest daughter started school and she went to work for Woodson County Farm Bureau. She worked there for 24 ½ years and retired in 1996.
Joan was a faithful and active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Guild. She was a past member of the Business and Professional Womens Club, serving as president from 1977 to 1979. She and Charles were also members of the Do Si Do Square Dance Club. Joan served as a sewing leader of the MRB 4-H Club and supported her children as 4-H members. Joan was an avid card player from youth. Early on it was with family and neighbors and later she and Charles played regularly with their friends and family. From an early age, Joan was close to both her immediate family and other relatives. This bond continued until her death on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Joan was preceded in death by her brother, Lt. John A. Flasch and parents John and Marguerite Flasch.
She is survived by her husband of the home, Charles A. Downey; three children, Randy (Barbara) Downey, Yates Center, Carrie Fangman, Lawrence, and Stephanie Hartwig, Rose Hill; two brothers, James (Carol) Flasch, Edmund, Oklahoma, Jerald (Nancye) Flasch, San Antonio, Texas; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends and extended family.
A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Humboldt. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Humboldt.
Memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
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