Angela K. Dowden

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:19 pm

Angela K. Dowden, 41, of Decorah, died Monday morning, Jan. 25, 2016, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis. Memorial services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at First United Methodist Church in Decorah, with Rev. John Caldwell officiating. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Michael Dowden to set up an investment fund for each of the daughters (Ezri and Kira), for their college education. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah served the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com. Organist was Marcia Engebretson. Congregational hymns were “Here I Am to Worship,” “Lord of the Dance” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Angela (Angie) Kristine Dowden was born June 15, 1974, in Cherokee, the daughter of Kevin and Barbara (Holland) Kuhnes. She graduated from Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn High School with the class of 1993. Angie went on the attend Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb., where she majored in theater. This is where she met her best friend and the love of her life, Michael Dowden. Angela graduated from Wayne State in 1997.  She was united in marriage with Michael D. Dowden July 12, 1997, at the First Presbyterian Church in Cleghorn. This union was blessed with two daughters, Ezri and Kira. Angie and Michael made their home in Omaha, Neb., where she worked as a costume designer and seamstress. They welcomed their first daughter, Ezri Chase, in 1999. Angela returned to school and earned her teaching degree from University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2004. Angie, Michael and Ezri moved to Decorah in 2005. Angela began working for Opportunity Homes in 2006, as a service coordinator. She made good things happen for other people. Angie and Michael celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Kira Alexis, in 2009. Angie was born to be a wife and mother. She was a shining example of both as well as an amazing daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Angie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, music, movies, games, coffee, wine, and she loved to read. She was a devout Nebraska Huskers fan. She will be remembered always for her kindness, thoughtfulness, loyalty, creativity, smile and wit. Angie was also giving in her death. She improved and saved the lives of others through being an organ donor.

Angela is survived by her husband, Michael; her two daughters, Ezri and Kira; her parents, Kevin and Barbara Kuhnes of Cleghorn; her five siblings: Heather Plum of Cherokee, Daniel (Janet) Kuhnes of Lakeville, Minn. and her triplet sisters: Jennifer (Tracy) Huff of Cleghorn, Dawn (Mark) Stephenson of Cherokee and Kimberly (Dr. John) Schleef of Cleghorn; two sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Monte) Wieseler of Decorah and Jennifer (Derek) Quave of DeQuincy, La.; one brother-in-law, Nick (Erin) DeRoos of Crofton, Neb.; her father- and mother-in-law, David and Carolyn DeRoos of Crofton, Neb. and her step mother-in-law, Cassie Dowden of DeQuincy, La.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Bailus and Bette Holland; her paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Carol Kuhnes; and her father-in-law, Bobby Gene Dowden in 2009.