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   Richard “Dick” Downham was born on July 30, 1942 to Catherine and Paul Downham of Minneapolis. Dick attended Incarnation School for elementary school and Our Lady of the Ozarks Oblates Seminary in Carthage Missouri for high school.

   While attending St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Dick fell in love with Joan Chowen of Minnetonka. They married shortly after graduating and moved to Minneapolis.

   Dick worked at American Hardware Mutual Insurance for 28 years. He played on the company softball and basketball teams and coached the womens’ softball team. He started a second career as a Commissioner on the Cass County Board of Commissioners. He served Northern Cass County for 14 years and is most proud of supporting the establishment of the Cass County Wellness Court and building stronger relations with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

   Dick and Joan have two children, Jennifer Downham of Minneapolis and Josh Downham (Ann) of Minneapolis. While living in Minneapolis, Dick and Joan’s home became a second home for many international students and the place Jen and Josh’s friends would hang out. Sunday night dinners were a big draw as people would show up for Joan’s curries and lots of laughs.

   When Dick and Joan moved to Boy Lake, their lake home became another gathering spot. They hosted family gatherings and lots of volleyball games, weddings, parties and boating. Everyone was welcome at Boy Lake and you didn’t want to be “a one-timer”.

Dick is preceded in death by his sister Ann (Palm), and survived by wife Joan, siblings Bill, Jim and Mary as well as by 3 granddaughters (Haley, Lauren and Cora), 1 grandson (Adrian), 3 “adopted sons” (Dan Riley, Dave Moore and Spencer Finseth) and many many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life to be scheduled soon.

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