Thomas Doren ‘Mike’ Downey, 89

Published 10:21 am Thursday, August 22, 2013

Thomas Doren “Mike” Downey, 89, of Austin, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, at Sacred Heart Care Center.

He was born on April 18, 1924 in Rose Creek, Minn., to Thomas J. and Amy (Sargent) Downey. He attended Queen of Angels grade school. Mike served his country during WWII in the Navy by driving ambulance on Russell Island in the South Pacific. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Austin to work for Hormel for more than 30 years. Mike married Evelyn Kolb on Sept. 30, 1950. To this union, three boys were born; Kenny, Keith and Kim. Evelyn died on March 12, 1977. Mike married Margaret Frank in October of 1979. She died on Aug. 20, 2010.

Mike was a very active member in the Austin American Legion Post 91. He joined the Legion in 1944, after his military service. He participated in the funeral escort color guard for more than 60 years. He was the Post 91 Commander from 1992 to 1994.

He was also a member of the Mower County Trailblazers Saddle Club, Mower County Mounted Posse, a Boy Scout Leader, and a member of the color guard drum and bugle corps sponsored by the American Legion during the 1958 Austin Centennial. Mike enjoyed gardening with Margaret and traveling, especially his trip to Ireland in the spring of 1995. Mike loved to state that he “had a good life.”

Mike is survived by his children, Kenny Downey of New Richmond, Wis.; Keith Downey of Austin; Kim (Susan) Downey of Austin; step-children, Ellie Rezabek-Turner of Wahpeton, N.D.; Adele (Alan) Kimpell of Greenwood; Sandi (Bill) Lynd of Earlville, Ill.; Michael (Jolene) Frank of Fort Mill, S.C.; Margaret (Richard) Hardy of Santa Barbara, Calif. and James (Kristie) Frank of Prior Lake, Minn., step-daughter-in-law, Sue Frank of Austin; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; 26 step-grandchildren; 27 step-great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Evelyn, second wife Margaret, brothers Kenneth, Frank, Sheldon “Pat” Downey, sister Mildred Mulholland, daughter-in-law Eunice Downey and a step-son, Allen Frank Jr.

A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, at Mayer Funeral Home with Ray Waters officiating.

Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery with military graveside rites performed by the Austin American Legion Post 91.

Memorials will go toward Mayo Clinic Research and Development.