Eilene Rae Downie

Born on May 28, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska, Eilene was the beloved daughter of Wilson and Jessie Martin. She graduated from North High School in 1958 and attended the Omaha University. While at Omaha University she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.

Eilene will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for her family and friends. Eilene was a person of many talents, but her favorite was being a ventriloquist, She had lifelong avocation for genealogy, spending countless hours researching family history and joyfully discovering new relatives across generations. Eilene was a devout Christian and served in many positions including president for The Nebraska Conference of the Living Waters Association. She enjoyed games and was a member of many bridge clubs. Eilene and Wayne enjoyed square dancing as members of Belles 'N' Beaus. She enjoyed planning family gatherings and took great pride in planning high school alumni reunions for her North High Vikings and Wayne's Benson High Bunnies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilson and Jessie Martin; her son, David Downie; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Andrew and Mary Downie; her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Gerald Swift; brother-in-law, Wayne Larsen; sister-in-law, Pat Downie; and her great granddaughter, Charlie Moon Downie.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Wayne; daughter and son-in-law, Debi and Tony Baratta; daughter-in-law, Belle Downie; brother-in-law, Paul Downie; sister, Gayle Larsen; grandchildren, Max Downie, AJ Baratta (Michaela), Shelby Morgan (Ken), and Raiden Downie; and her great grandchildren, Stone, Indigo, Eli, and Stetson; as well as many more family members and friends.

A visitation for Eilene will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. Following the visitation will be a memorial service at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. Memorials will be used to establish a college education fund for her grandson, Raiden.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.