Kristi Jo Downing

Kristi Jo Downing, age 53, of Des Moines, passed away on May 2 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends.

Kristi was born on June 21, 1972 in Des Moines, Iowa. She grew up in Guthrie Center, Iowa alongside her big sister, Kim, and surrounded by a large and loving extended family and lifelong friends. She was a devoted daughter, a loyal sister and a steadfast, trusted friend.

After graduating from high school, Kristi moved to Des Moines to attend AIB College of Business. Upon receiving her degree, she began her long and dedicated career as administration assistant at the Baudino & Crawford Law Firm and later office manager at the Baudino Law Group.

In 1997, Kristi met Craig Bowers and they built a life together. They preferred being home, cooking and baking for friends and family. They took pride in their home and it became a place where everyone felt welcome and well cared for.

Kristi's strength, loyalty and unwavering presence will never be forgotten. She leaves behind a legacy of love and dependability. She gave her whole heart to those around her and even in the face of an aggressive cancer, she remained concerned for others.

She is survived by her partner Craig Bowers; father Paul Downing; mother Vicki Novak and her husband Terry; sister Kimberly and brother-in-law Randy Davis; uncles Dave Lane, Clint Lane and Jerry Andreasen; and many cousins and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by grandparents Dale and Evelyn Downing, Cliff and Mary Christensen and Clinton Lane.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 18 at Caldwell Parish Funeral Home in Urbandale from 4:00-5:00 p.m. with visitation following from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The family will hold a private burial at the Monteith Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) at netrf.org, in memory of Kristi Downing, to support the ongoing fight against cancer.