Marietta Dowsett

Marietta M. Dowsett, 93, of Viola, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, at Mercer County Nursing Home, Aledo. Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Burial is at Viola Cemetery. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Dennison Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Viola United Methodist Church or Viola Volunteer Fire Department. She was born Nov. 6, 1915, in Riverton, Wyo., to Jozzie "Joe" and Bertha Forsyth Gustafson. She married Raymond Dowsett on Feb. 20, 1937, in Rock Island. She was a secretary for Winola Schools for nine years, retiring in 1961. She enjoyed traveling, cooking and playing bingo. Mrs. Dowsett was a member of Viola United Methodist Church and Viola Senior Citizens. Survivors (and spouses) include her husband, Raymond J. Dowsett, Aledo; daughter, Sharon (Robert) Caldwell, Viola; son, Donald (Fran) Dowsett, Sun City West, Ariz.; grandchildren, Chris (Tom) McKeag, Curt (Alisa) Caldwell, Cheryl (Russell) Jenkins, Dena (Josh) Jones, Darek Dowsett, Debra (Cole) Mitchell and Denita Reed; 11 great-grandchildren, Shane (Christi) McKeag, Shawn, Andrea and Alex McKeag, Courtnie Rigg, Alexa, Kaylee and Landon Caldwell, Josh Reed, Dalton and Travis Mitchell; and great-great-granddaughter, Adalyn McKeag. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Matthew "Bud" Gustafson; grandson-in-law, Randy Reed; and great-great-grandson, Kailer McKeag.