Elaine Irene Koski Seavey, 82, died peacefully at her home in Omaha, Nebraska, on Dec. 9, 2016.

She was born on April 28, 1934, in Jacobson, Minnesota. She married Rodger Seavey on Sept. 15, 1951, a marriage that continued for 65 years.

Elaine excelled in art, and graduated with a master’s degree from Winona State College, Winona, Minnesota. She went on to teach art at Cochrane-Fountain City School in Wisconsin. Her many talents included painting, wood burning, quilting, basket weaving and writing. She wrote five autobiographical travel books, The Maverick Series, about her retirement years spent with her husband, Rodger, exploring the United State, Canada and Mexico.

She is survived by her husband, Rodger Seavey; three of her children, Valerie (Jason) Saeler of Tucson, Arizona, Bradley Seavey of Lufkin, Texas, and Pamela (Richard) Ellinghuysen of Omaha; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fanny and Waino Koski; her son, Daniel Seavey; and her siblings, Aili (Daniel) Dereschuk, Lillian (Merrill) Farr, and Walter (Sandy) Koski.

Family and friends will be notified of a graveside memorial service, which will be held this coming May at Lansing Cemetery near Austin, Minnesota. Memorials will go to the Lansing Cemetery fund.

Elaine’s family wishes to thank St. Joseph Hospice, CareMinders, Comper Care & Rehab, Walnut Grove Retirement Community, and Braman Mortuary, all of Omaha.