Edwina R. “Winnie” McDowell

Wife of Keith McDowell

Edwina R. “Winnie” McDowell died December 10, 2003, at the age of 90. Born in West Branch, MI on January 21, 1913, she was the daughter of Edward and Josephine (Wangler) Reetz. She married Keith McDowell December 27, 1938, and moved to St. Johns in 1948 opening McDowell Drug Store with Keith. Edwina earned a teaching degree from Central Michigan University and taught elementary school for 15 years at St. Joseph Catholic School in St. Johns. She had an avid mind, enjoyed history, reading, keeping up on world events, and sewing and cooking for her family. She especially enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren in later years. She was a member of the St. Joseph Altar Society and the St. Johns Women’s Club, serving as secretary for several years.  

Edwina is survived by her son, Edward McDowell of Ovid, her brothers, Calvin (Joan) Reetz and Walter Reetz of West Branch, her sisters, Laura Walter of Harper Woods and Thelma Brick of Kalkaska, her daughter-in-law, Judy McDowell and her two granddaughters, Amy McDowell and Melanie McDowell of Arlington, VA. Edwina was preceded in death by her husband, Keith McDowell, her son, Douglas McDowell, her daughter, Mary McDowell, three brothers, Christopher, Dennis and Warren Reetz and two sisters, Margaret Zettel and Georgina Winter.