Clarine Kiehl Downs

Clarine Kiehl Downs, age 96, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, in her Orem home, surrounded by her five loving daughters. Born on October 30, 1929, to August Otto Kiehl and Adeline Tieman Kiehl in Malta Bend, Missouri, Clarine grew up on the family farm. Though her father passed away when she was only six, she cherished memories of dressing up to go into town with him and singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” at his bedside. After his death, she worked alongside her mother and siblings, milking cows, feeding the animals, and helping with farm chores, while finding joy in her mother’s flowerbeds, playing games with siblings and friends, and riding her beloved pony, Sparkle.

She attended Lutheran Parochial School in Mt. Leonard, Missouri, and graduated as valedictorian and a standout basketball player from Malta Bend High School. Clarine continued her education at Valparaiso University in Indiana before transferring to the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree and met her eternal sweetheart, Robert Henry Downs. The couple began their life together in Kansas City and raised their family while living in Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, and Virginia before settling in Orem, Utah. Both Clarine and Robert taught vocal performance at Brigham Young University.

Clarine held a deep love for Jesus Christ that began in her Lutheran faith. In February 1960 she was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in the summer of 1962 she was sealed to her family for time and all eternity. She served faithfully in every church calling she received. After retirement, she and Robert served a mission together in Cape Town, South Africa, an experience she treasured. In their later years they traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America, often in their RV, as Clarine delighted in experiencing other cultures with respect and appreciation.

She was known for her remarkable work ethic, her beautiful handmade quilts, and her exceptional singing voice. Clarine loved spending time with her family, especially playing games such as Dummy Rummy, an activity she enjoyed until her final days. Energetic, thoughtful, grateful, and a friend to all, she lived a life of devotion and warmth. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Henry Downs. She is survived by her daughters Carolyn (Vaughn) Thacker, Debra Downs, Rebecca (Gary) Broderick, Lisa Bearnson, and Angela (Ronny) Ash-Walthers; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.