Nancy Downs, 90, of Oelwein passed away Friday April 11, 2025 at Arlington Place in Oelwein. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM on Saturday April 19, 2025 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral Services will then begin at 12:00 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Rick Johnson Officiating. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. Inurnment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein at a later date.

   Nancy Josephine Schmillen was born in St. James, Minnesota on September 23, 1934 to parents Frank and Cora (Hanson) Schmillen. After graduating high school she attended Mankato State Teachers College and received her Bachelors of Science Degree. That is where she met the love of her life Bob Downs and they were married on August 11, 1956 in St. James, Minnesota.
   Bob & Nancy lived in Manning and Minburn IA before settling in Oelwein in 1963 where they raised their family.
   Nancy was a homemaker and substitute teacher, and worked at several local businesses, including Elma’s Youth Shop and Stevenson’s.
   After retirement, Bob and Nancy found their summer home at Hiawatha Beach Resort on Leech Lake, in Walker, Minnesota. Nancy enjoyed fishing, baking, and took care of the garden for the resort. They enjoyed nearly 20 summers making cherished memories at the lake.
   Nancy’s later years were spent with her very loved dog Mollee, church friends, family and visits with her grandchildren. She loved the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark and was looking forward to the upcoming season.

   Left to celebrate Nancy’s life are her three children: Debbie Downs of Oelwein, David (Debbie) Downs of Casa Grande, Arizona, and Cathy (Shane) Clark of LaPorte City; her eight grandchildren: Ryan (Maribel) Bender, Courtney (Wally) Woodson, Chris (Sara) Downs, Carrie (David) Onofrychuk, Brad (Allison) Miller, Sam (Madalyn) Pirillo, Aidyn Clark and Libby Clark; her seven great-grandchildren: Westin, Emma, Landen, Luke, Nathan, Noah, Nicholas and Olivia; her brother and sister-in-law Frank (Debbie) Schmillen; numerous nieces and nephews; her AFS daughters: Emiko Murakami-Kasai and Sari Mutka; and her dog Mollee.

   She was preceded in death by her husband Bob; her parents Frank and Cora Schmillen; her daughter Denise Ann Downs; her brother Dennis Schmillen; and her sister Beverly Smith.

      One of Nancy’s favorite quotes: “Upon awakening lean thine arms awhile upon the wings of heaven and gaze upon the Lord - then with the vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet the day.”