Mae Downs

Mae was born in Proctor, MN on August 5th, 1927, to Richard Joseph and Catherine Mary (Schlegel) LeBlanc.

She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Grade School and Proctor High School. Mae worked for the Duluth Mesabi and Iron Range Railway as a Hostler Helper during World War II. After the war, she was employed by Bell Telephone Company as a Telephone Operator.

Mae married Norman H. Downs on August 7th, 1947 and together they raised ten children, 5 girls and 5 boys.

She was a lifetime parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Proctor, and a member of the Legion of Mary and St. Joseph’s Circle.

Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Norman on July 20, 1996; her parents, Richard and Catherine LeBlanc; brothers, Richard, Glen, Herbert, Norbert, and Raymond LeBlanc, and sister, Kathleen Stauber.

She is survived by her ten children, Timothy (Mary) Downs, Duluth, Penny (Steven) Jackson, Duluth, Bill (Kris) Downs, Proctor, Charles Downs, Esko, Thomas (Marilyn) Downs, Spicer, MN., Susan (Gerry) Aune, Cloquet, Catherine (Lance) Campbell, Hudson, WI., Matthew Downs, Cloquet, Margaret (Daniel) Claflin, Hudson, WI., Jane (Bruce) Berggren, Duluth; 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Jane (Darrell) Knudson of Copperopolis, CA, and brother, Malvin LeBlanc of Corpus Christi, TX. She is also survived by her childhood friend, Rosie Anderson, of Proctor.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Oncology Staff and Home Hospice B Team from SMDC Essentia Health and to Dr. Michael Whitcomb for the special attention given to their mother and family.

VISITATION: from 5:00pm until the 7:00 p.m. rosary Monday, April 25, in Bell Brothers Chapel, 601 N 56th Ave West, Duluth, MN. Visitation resumes at 9 until the 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, April 26, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3 - 6th Ave. Proctor, MN. Burial will be in Oneota Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Rose of Lima Church.

Please leave a memory of Mae or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com Arrangements by the Bell Brother Funeral Home.