She graduated from Holdrege High School in 1960 and attended Midland Lutheran College in Fremont and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with majors in Art and Home Economics. Elaine married James (Jim) Curtis Martin on August 18, 1962 and celebrated 61 years of marriage. The couple lived 43 years in North Platte, then moved to Lincoln in 2007 upon Jim’s retirement. Elaine’s first priority was always family. She was also actively involved and held leadership positions in numerous church, school, and community groups, such as Messiah Lutheran Church (North Platte), Southwood Lutheran Church (Lincoln), 4-H, LaSertoma, P.E.O., Questers (antiques), local and state quilt guilds, and the International Quilt Museum. Elaine was a passionate quilter and quilt artist. She also enjoyed reading, teaching various programs, genealogy, and sharing her talents and love of art.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, RL and Eleanor Martin, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law.
She is survived by her husband, Jim, their daughters, Lorinda (Bradley) Bailey, Hastings, Wendy (George) Olivas, St. Peters, MO, and Rachel (Josh) McCaslin, Lincoln; grandchildren, Brittany (Jason) Papke, Lincoln, Brooke (Neville) Cole, Omaha, Zachary Olivas, Kansas City, MO, Amanda Olivas, St. Peters, MO, Eli and Abby McCaslin, Lincoln; great-grandchildren Joanna, Zoey, Mara and Wade Papke, Lincoln; brother Stanley Miller, Roseburg, OR; sister Carol Blauvelt, Manassas, VA; brother Ronald Miller, New Market, VA; sisters-in-law Gwen Harden, Holdrege, Ginger (Jim) Petersen, Kearney; brother-in-law Tony (Carol) Martin, Arvada, CO, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at Southwood Lutheran Church on Wednesday, May 29th at 11 am.
Interment will be later at the Prairie Home Cemetery, Holdrege.
Memorials to Southwood Lutheran Church or the International Quilt Museum.