Loretta Beatrice Downard, 72, died March 22, 2010, at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson.

She was born Sept. 9, 1937, at her grandparents' home in Buhler, the daughter of Henry and Katheryn Hiebert Ediger Jr.

She attended Hutchinson Community College. A resident of Hutchinson, she was a homemaker.
She was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church, a 30-year volunteer at the church, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, organist, pianist, choir member and played xylophone and accordion. She enjoyed making wedding cakes, held the office of area captain, secretary, treasurer and leader for TOPS. She volunteered for U.S. Air Force call center in Hutchinson.

On June 20, 1957, she married Edwin David Downard in Raton, N.M. He survives.

Other survivors include: son, Michael Ray Downard, Hutchinson; daughter, Kathy Johnson, Hutchinson; brothers, Jerry Lee Ediger, Prescott Valley, Ariz., and James Ray Ediger, Hutchinson; and grandson, Brian Keith Johnson, Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, Jacob and Mary Hiebert.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastors Harold E. Nelson and Lee Keele presiding. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the mortuary. Burial will be in Buhler Cemetery, east annex, Buhler.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.