Wanda Almira Dowd, 88

Published 11:05 am Friday, November 20, 2015

Wanda Almira Dowd, 88 of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Retirement Center.

Dowd

Wanda was born June 28, 1927, in Irene, South Dakota, the daughter of Minnie A. (Morrison) and Richard C. Nelson. She attended high school first in Marian, South Dakota, followed by her junior and senior years at Albert Lea High School. She graduated on June 1, 1945. Wanda went on to General Beadle Teachers College (Dakota State University) in Madison, South Dakota. After graduation she taught for one year in a rural school outside of Marian, South Dakota, two years in a rural school in Freeborn County (Moscow), followed by two years teaching first grade in Sioux City, Iowa.

Wanda married R. Stanley Dowd on Feb. 4, 1951, at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. Wanda and Stan were able to celebrate 64 years together before his death Feb. 28, 2015. Wanda and Stan lived the first two years of marriage in San Luis Obispo, California, while Stan served in the Army. After his discharge in 1953, they made their home in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Wanda was a devoted homemaker and mom. She was room mother, Girl Scout Leader and Sunday School Teacher. She was also active in her church circle and Prime Timers.

After her children were grown, Wanda subbed for Alpha Enterprises (Cedar Valley) from 1984 thru 1993.

Wanda is survived by her three children: Janet (Dan) Hooker of Austin, Minnesota, Ronald Dowd (Debbie Williams) of Farmington, Minnesota, and Julie Dowd of Blaine, Minnesota; three grandchildren: Carolyn (Todd) Dube’, Christopher Hooker and Fiancé’ Melissa, Jamie (Nathan) Coleman; five great-grandchildren: Alex, Michael and Lauren Dube’, Zoe and Katelyn Coleman. Also surviving is one sister Ardis Jensen of Albert Lea, Minnesota; brother- and sister-in-law Sherman (Pat) Nelson of Tucson Arizona, brother-in-law Donald Dowd of Albert Lea, Minnesota; sisters-in-law: Mary Dowd, and Mary Sue Dowd of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Stan; parents Richard and Minnie Nelson; sister- and brother-in-law Nila and Earl Taylor; brothers-in-law: Oliver Jensen, Robert Dowd, Mac Randahl and Hubert Martinson; sisters-in-law: Beulah Martinson Randahl and Marge Dowd.

Funeral services for Wanda will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Pastor Dwight Netzer will officiate. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Albert Lea, Minnesota.