Elizabeth Ann Downing

January 26, 1923 - February 1, 2019

Elizabeth was born on January 26, 1923 to William Franklin and Margaret Isabella (Nunn) Downing on the family farm of her parents near Fullerton. A child of the depression years, she had a happy childhood growing up on the hilltop farm with her older brother, Lloyd Londrosh and two sisters- Margaret Kathryn and Nelva Elaine. After attending country school, District No. 37, through the 8th grade, Elizabeth graduated from Fullerton High School in 1941, the year of World War II changed many lives. Few jobs were available in Fullerton and Elizabeth was soon working in Washington D.C., where many young girls from across the nation found jobs plentiful during the war. In 1946, she decided to move back to Nebraska where she began work for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator in Fullerton, Nebraska. She also worked in the telephone office in Grand Island. Elizabeth retired from the telephone company in 1976 after employment with them for over 28 years. Returning to Fullerton, she moved into her Mother’s home there enabeling her mother to remain in her own home, as she had been alone since the death of her husband in 1972. Elizabeth was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Royal Neighbors of America. Elizabeth and her mother were members of the Presbyterian Church and they attended the Womens Group and other activities there. Elizabeth liked offering to drive friends to their appointments or other destinations. Elizabeth didn’t care for long trips, but during her life, she did make it to Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, and California. Her Mother and Elizabeth enjoyed playing cards with friends and Elizabeth’s specialties were doing embroidery work for gifts, making angel food cakes, lemon pie, and homemade ice cream. After Elizabeth’s mother passed away in 1986, Elizabeth lived alone there for several years. The house was sold in 1996 and Elizabeth moved into Merrick Manor in Central City. Due to health reasons, she then moved to Litzenberg Long Term Care in 2007. She enjoyed all the activities at Long Term Care and especially bingo games. She was survived by two sisters- Elaine and Verlin Francis of Grand Island, NE and Margaret Pierson of Lincoln, NE; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother- Dr. Lloyd (Ruth Ann) Downing; one brother in law- Dr. Kenneth Pierson.