Marlene Downs

Marlene H. Downs, 77 of Duluth, died Monday, November 14, 2016 at Essentia St. Mary’s after a long illness, with her family by her side.  Marlene was born December 11, 1938 in Hancock, MI, to Wayne and Helen Koski.  She was a graduate of Floodwood High School, went on to Duluth Vo-tech, now known as Lake Superior College for medical transcribing and she received her LPN training from Range Technical College.  Marlene worked for US Steel in Mountain Iron as a laborer and as a Medical Secretary for the Virginia East Range Clinics.

She met Jim Downs in 1980 and they were married on March 12, 1982.

She was a member of St. Benedict’s Church; she loved flowers and gardening, maintaining her physical fitness, but most of all she loved spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Helen; her son, Steven Morton and step sister, Janine Moore.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Jim Downs; son, Dan Morton’ daughter, Lori (Brad) Rauzi; step daughter, Kelly Downs; grandchildren, David, Marija, Theo, Lanie, Dalina, Megan and Karen; siblings, Gail (Greg) Helmer and Roger Koski.

Visitation will begin Saturday at 10am with services at 11am in the Dougherty Funeral Home.  Burial at Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 525 lake Ave, Suite 214, Duluth, MN  55802.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.