Illa Downs

Illa Mae Sigurdson was born July 26, 1926, at Minneota, MN, the daughter of Olivar Hilda (Kaas) Sigurdson. She grew up in the Watertown, South Dakota area where she graduated from high school. She moved to California and worked for the Hearst Newspaper organization for a couple years before returning to South Dakota. She worked for the Midland Life Insurance Company where she met Thomas John "Jack" Downs, the couple were married in Webster, SD, in 1950. The couple made their home in St. James where Illa and Jack raised their family of 7 children. She owned and operated Illa's Gallery for over 20 years. She is survived by her children; Candace (Dennis) Witte of St. Peter, Mary Downs of Butterfield, Thomas Jr. (Teresa) Downs of Mound, James (Janet) Downs of North Mankato, Lisa (Dean) Malmgren of Alexandria, 9 grandchildren; Tammy Kamm, Holly (Chris) Just, Stephanie (Jacob) Klatte, Aaron (Abbie) Malmgren, Matthew Malmgren, Kathryn (Jeremy) Zediker, Jennifer (Daniel) Stromquist, Jacob (Tessa) Downs, Joel Downs, 7 great-grandchildren; Reid Kamm, Zachary Just, Jackson and William Klatte, John Zediker, Joseph Stromquist and Henry Downs. She is preceded in death by her husband and 2 daughters; Jeanne and Carol. Visitation 9:00 am - 11:00 am Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081