Courtney J. Downing

Courtney J. Downing, 38 of Sioux City passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013 at a Sioux City hospital. Services will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday at St. James United Methodist Church. Burial will be in St. Clair Cemetery, Ute, IA. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Friday with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Friday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Courtney was born March 29, 1975 in Sioux City; she was the daughter of Michael Downing and Christine (Thornton) Martin. Courtney grew up in Sioux City and graduated from North High School in 1995. She worked at PETCO for 16 years, for Opportunities Unlimited for several years and also had worked for MOPS and St. Luke's Regional Medical Center. Courtney enjoyed shopping, baby sitting, baking, doing crafts and spending time with her family. She loved pets and volunteered at the Siouxland Humane Society. Survivors included her mother: Christine Martin and her husband Randal of Quimby, IA; her father: Michael Downing of Dakota Dunes, SD; her brother and sisters: Alyssa Downing of Sidney, NE, Rebekah Vermillion of Madison, WI and Robert Heinz of Madison, WI; maternal grandmother: Margaret Thornton of Sheboygan, WI; niece and nephews: Jacie Garnett, Nolan and Evan Poggenklass; and many aunts uncles and cousins. Courtney was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents: James and Zelma Downing, her maternal grandfather John H. Thornton, Sr. and her lifelong companion, Gretchen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Courtney's name to the Humane Society of Sioux City & Opportunities Unlimited.