SPEARVILLE – Theresa Jane Downey, 90, died Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore.

She was born April 23, 1935 at Spearville, the daughter of Robert and Theresa (Perkins) Walker.  She was a 1953 graduate of St. Mary of the Plains High School and St. Joseph School of Nursing in Wichita in 1956.  She was a Registered Nurse working at St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, St. Anthony Hospital in Dodge City and the Spearville District Hospital.

She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Spearville.  Love of family was her greatest attribute but was also an excellent nurse and very wise about all things medical.  She was very kind, caring and compassionate and able to talk to anyone and make them feel wanted and respected.  Her greatest joys and loves of her life were her grandchildren and great grandchildren always having a treat for them.  She never missed a chance to celebrate them.  She loved sitting on her porch and visiting with neighbors especially the kids.

On June 6, 1959 she married William J. Downey at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dodge City.  He preceded her in death on June 26, 2007.

Survivors include: 3 daughters, Mary Jane Goebel and husband Burke, Jetmore, JoAnne Nash, Dodge City and Jerelyn Schneweis and husband Ron, Dodge City; daughter-in-law, Becky Downey, Spearville; 10 grandchildren, Ashley Shomin and husband Chris, Lacey Kee, Clint Goebel and wife Mara, Katey Martin and husband Chance, Cole Nash and wife Mariah, Claire Moffitt and husband Tyrel, Zach Schneweis and wife Amanda, Luke Schneweis, Gentry Peterson and husband Tyler and Josh Schneweis;  20 great grandchildren, Aiden Shomin, Eli Shomin, Noah Shomin, William Kee, Ryan Kee, Bennett Goebel, Bowen Goebel, Brooks Goebel, Willa Martin, Audie Martin, Roy Hue "R.H." Martin, Tilley Nash, Tritt Nash, Delilah Moffitt, Aspyn Schneweis, Autumn Schneweis, Addilynn Schneweis, Geneva Peterson, Grant Peterson and Greylyn Peterson; and nieces, Judy Werner and husband Norbert, Jan Koehn and husband Ted and Sheila Lilley and husband Bob.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, her son, Mark W. Downey, a sister, Mary Margaret Stokes and 4 brothers, Patrick, Robert, Ralph and John Walker.

Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Sunday, May 4, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Spearville.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Monday at the church with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding.  Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Spearville.  Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

The family suggests memorials to St. John the Baptist Church in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.