Karen L. Downing, 68, Dickinson, died Thursday, November 29, 2018 with family at her side at St. Benedict’s Health Center. Karen’s Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Monday, December 3, 2018 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Msgr. Thomas Richter as celebrant. Inurnment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m. with Deacon Leonard Krebs presiding.
Karen Jilek was born August 25, 1950 in Dickinson, daughter of Laudie and Leona (Hondl) Jilek. She grew up on the family farm near Fairfield where she was also educated in the Snow Country School and graduated from Belfield High School in 1968. She went on to attend one year of business college in Rapid City, S.D.
Karen was united in marriage to James Downing on October 15, 1971 in Bowman. They moved to the Jilek family farm near Fairfield in 1972 where they farmed and ranched together. During this time, she had worked at Q & R Clinic, CSI and Four Corners Café. Her biggest job of all was being a wonderful mother, wife and later a grandmother. They moved to Dickinson in 2013.
She loved family time, especially being a grandma. Karen liked to camp, enjoyed four wheeler rides, and looking at the calves. She enjoyed her bible study and embracing her faith, especially as a member of the Flame of Love Prayer Group. Her friends were important to her and she loved going out to eat with them.
Karen is survived by her husband, Jim; two children, Jason (Tina) Downing, Fairfield and Janel (fiancé, Shannon Sivak) Ressler, Worden, Mont; one granddaughter, Taylor Downing; and her mother, Leona Jilek. She was preceded in death by her dad, Laudie; and her sister, Sharon Reis.
