Richard J. Downen, 46

Rich Downen, 46, of Columbia Falls, died at his home on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010. He was born Nov. 21, 1963, in Whitefish, the son of Richard and Dorothy Downen of Columbia Falls. He grew up in Columbia Falls and attended Columbia Falls schools. After attending Trapper Creek Job Corps he returned to Columbia Falls and worked at the Plum Creek fiberboard plant for over 25 years. At the time of his death he was an assistant apartment manager for his cousin, Dennis Howard, at an apartment complex in Columbia Falls. He had many interests and hobbies, including family genealogy and raising his organic vegetable garden. He is survived by his daughters, Anna, Sarah and Emily Downen, and his parents, Richard Downen and Dorothy Downen, all of Columbia Falls; his sisters, Rebecca Grady of Seattle, and Debra Dotson and her husband, Mike, and children, Adrienne, Allyssa and Jerad of Spokane; his uncles, Stan Downen of Columbia Falls, and Joe and Jan DeFlyer of Bishop, Calif.; his aunts, Clarice Harrison of Whitefish, and Arlene Rowe of Kalispell. He is also survived by many cousins and friends, including his friends since his grade school days, Chuck and Tom Oxley. Rich was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Alice DeFlyer, and Archie and Persis Downen; as well as his cousin, Tracy Downen. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Fellowship Alliance Church in Columbia Falls.