Douglas D. Downs, 82, of Shell Lake, WI, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on October 2, 2024. Doug was born on January 8, 1942, in Wesley, IA. He is the son of Edward and Elaine Downs. He received his education in the Corwith-Wesley parochial and public schools. After high school graduation in 1959, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served four years both in the states and abroad. He was employed by Northwestern Bell in 1966. On June 25, 1966, he married Diane Schneider in Algona, IA.

During their 58 years of marriage, they lived in Algona, Mason City and Ankeny, IA; Omaha, NE; Eagan, MN; and Shell Lake. After 24 years in the telecommunication industry, he retired in 1990 and purchased his own business, Mar/co Sales. In 2001, after retiring to his lake home in Shell Lake, he sold Mar/co to his oldest son David who is still running it today. Doug served as a board member for both the Minnesota and Wisconsin Meat Associations, vice president of the Ankeny Jaycees, president of the Shell Lake Lions and as a member of several community boards. He is a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. Doug enjoyed socializing with his friends, golfing, fishing and his annual winter trips to Mesa, AZ.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; three sons, David (Missy) of Lakeville, MN, and their children, Aly and Logan, Dean (Moneque) of Zimmerman, MN, and their children, Colin, Garrett, Teagan, Logan and Morgan, and Dennis (Stacy) of Andover, MN, and their children, Anna, Bailey and Johnny; sister Sylvia Baker of Byron, IL; brother Daniel (Janet) of Sedro-Woolley, WA; and brother-in-law Jim Reising of Garner, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sharlene and brother-in-law Art Baker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shell Lake on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11 AM. Visitation will be held one and one half hours prior to the service on Monday at church.

The Service will be livestreamed on Skinner Funeral Home's Facebook account.

Interment with military honors will be follow at the Northern WI Veterans Cemetery in Spooner, WI.

Pallbearers are Colin Downs, Garrett Downs, Logan Downs, Logan Gacke, Johnny Downs, Aly Downs, Teagan Downs, Anna Downs, Morgan Gacke, and Bailey Downs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute via their donation website www.unco.edu/nhs/cancer-rehabilitation-institute/. This institute was established by Dr. Carole Schneider, Diane’s sister.

Last Update: Oct 04, 2024 7:59 am CDT