Surnames: Downey, Thompson, Kingswan, Harrison, Kolner, Eades, Funmaker

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) January 7, 2009

Downey, Gale Ella (9 August 1957 - 2 January 2009)

Gale E. Downey, 51, of Chicago, IL, and formerly of Black River Falls, passed away Jan. 2, 2009, in Chicago, IL.

Gale Ella Kingswan was born Aug. 9, 1957, in St. Paul, MN to Victor and Sylvia (Thompson) Kingswan. She was raised in St. Paul.

She married Roger Downey July 31, 1985, in Eau Claire. They lived in Eau Claire until she moved to Chicago. While living in Eau Claire, Gale had been employed at a treatment center in Chippewa Falls and by the Ho-Chunk Nation Gaming Commission. She also had been employed at an auto painting plant and a meat packing company, both in Chicago.

She enjoyed various activities, including Pow Wows, pool tournaments, and Indian crafts.

Survivors include her husband, Roger Downey; a daughter, Sylvia Downey of Eau Claire; five sons, Victor Kingswan of Las Vegas, NV, and Gus Downey, Cody Downey, Michael Downey and Gabe Downey, all of Eau Claire; 12 grandchildren; five sisters, Georgia Kingswan, Carla Kingswan and Sharon Harrison, all of Black River Falls, Maxine (Elliot) Kolner of Merrillan and Alice Eades of Wyeville; and a brother, Fred Kingswan of Black River Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Crystal Downey; an infant brother, Freeman Kingswan; and a brother, Charles Jesse Kingswan.

Traditional Native American services were held Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at noon, at the Ho-Chunk District One Community Center, Black River Falls. Dennis Funmaker and Winona Funmaker presided over services. Burial was at Dells Dam, Town of Levis (Clark County). Family and friends were invited for visitation Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at the Ho-Chunk District One Community Center.

Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.