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Memorial Keepers (1)
Summers Funeral Home
Jeannine Ruth Downs
July 22nd, 1929 - January 24th, 2025
Jeannine passed away peacefully at home on January 24, 2025, while holding her daughters’ hands.
Jeannine was born in Fairbury, Nebraska, to Marguerite (Buchmeier) Bower and Wayne K. Bower. She grew up during the Great Depression and lived with both sets of grandparents on their family farms. The economic times forced her parents to find work away from the family homesteads.
Jeannine attended a one-room country schoolhouse during her early years and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1946. Her shorthand and bookkeeping skills helped her succeed at her job with the Federal Land Bank, where she assisted in providing loans to farmers and ranchers. She later worked for the local welfare office as a stenographer. While in Fairbury, she met Robert (Bob) Downs, recently back from serving in the Navy in World War II. Jeannine says, "it was love at first sight" and he was as handsome as James Dean.
They married on October 15, 1948. In 1953, with the birth of their first daughter Dee Ann, Jeannine transitioned to being a “homemaker”, a career she proudly embraced for the rest of her life. The family moved to Boise in 1954, where Bob worked in the sheet metal products business. Jeannine and Bob were blessed with two more daughters, Lesa and Jaye B. Jeannine enjoyed time as a choir mother for the First United Methodist Church (Cathedral of the Rockies). She and Bob developed life-long friendships with their “Merri Weds” church group. She also volunteered her time with the PTA at Adams Elementary School.
Bob’s career took the family to Spokane, Washington, in 1966, and they returned to Boise and their beloved Idaho in 1972. They enjoyed “forest therapy” by spending weekends in McCall in their travel trailer (called the Gypsy Holiday) Bob built by hand. There are many treasured memories of time spent at the family cabin (Iron Creek Ranch) at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Jeannine was an accomplished seamstress, proudly making tutus for her ballerina daughters. She created her daughters’ school dresses as well as their wedding and bridesmaid’s dresses. She enjoyed planting and growing houseplants, vegetables, and flowers.
Jeannine and Bob sold the family home and moved to a condo overlooking the Boise foothills and Ann Morrison Park in 2009. Jeannine developed rich friendships with residents of the community, playing cards, socializing at “Still Alive After Five”, having a front-row seat at the city’s amazing 4th of July fireworks display, and relaxing on her spacious balcony while watching hummingbirds and all of the activities in the park. Jeannine loved watching Boise State football games, although she wasn’t pleased with the Broncos’ recent Fiesta Bowl performance!
Jeannine’s travel adventures included trips to Jackpot to play penny slot machines, visiting many National Parks, walking on the beaches of the beautiful Oregon Coast, and when she was in her mid-80s, she mentioned a bucket list trip to Maui, which she took four times! Special memories of Hawaii include attending luaus, visiting Pearl Harbor, and, to her daughters’ surprise, wanting to experience flying first class from Boise to Maui!
She had a bit of an independent streak and proudly lived on her own until she went to be with the Lord.
Jeannine is survived by her daughters Lesa Becker and Jaye B. Pierce (Steve); five grandchildren Amber Dawn McCarrel, Sam Becker, Joe Becker, Marissa Nickel (Brendan), and Mikaela Ramos (Chelsey); five great-grandchildren Azurrhea Prater, Asher Nickel, and Paxton, Ryder, Berklee, and Oaklyn Ramos. She is also survived by her sister Betty Ann White and brother Jim Bower (Mary) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jeannine was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother Veta (Ford) Bower, her beloved husband Bob, her son-in-law Robet (Bob) Becker, and her precious daughter Dee Ann McCarrel.
A celebration of Jeannine’s life will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Summers Funeral Home, 3629 East Ustick Road, in Meridian, followed by burial at Morris Hill Cemetery. Dress casually, jeans are fine!
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial to a charity that is near and dear to your heart.
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We Entrusted Jeannine Downs's Care To
Summers Funeral Home
With more than 100 years of history in Boise, Idaho, the Summers Funeral Home has built our reputation and earned the respect of the Treasure Valley community. We remain dedicated to leading in compassionate service for bereaved families, providing unparalleled value and personalized attention during their time of need. Clyde E. Summers founded our company in 1911 when he partnered with P.L. Fry. The business passed through several partnerships and purchases over the years, but kept the continuity of a trusted business with a commitment to service....
Learn more(208) 917-2525
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