Eileen Wilkins, 61

After a courageous, two year battle with cancer, Eileen Wilkins, 61, died Sept. 4, 2005, at her home on Ennis Lake, Minn.

Funeral services were Sept. 9 at St. Patrick’s Church in Ennis. Interment was at the Madison Valley Cemetery.

Eileen Wilkins was born Sept. 10, 1943, in Omaha to Harvey and Veronica Paasch. She graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1961, and attended Duschene College in Omaha, where she graduated in 1965. She taught for Omaha Public Schools and later, at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico.

In 1971, she met Arlington native Dr. Gene Wilkins of Ennis. They married Dec. 28, 1972.

When their youngest child entered school, Mrs. Wilkins returned to teaching, and served on the Ennis School Board for several years. She taught until recently, when her health prevented it. She loved working with young people and was active with Scouting and 4-H.

She was active in St. Patrick’s parish. She was a Eucharistic minister and a presider. Her faith was an important part of her wonderful outlook on life and was the foundation of the love she shared with everyone.

She enjoyed nature, reading, listening to music, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her happiest moments were having her family together at her home on the lake. She enjoyed people of all ages, especially young people; she was a positive influence on many lives. She was loved by many and had a unique, optimist outlook on life.

She is survived by her husband, Gene; sons and daughters-in-law, Jay and Heidi Wilkins of Belgrade, Mont., and Jamie and Julie Wilkins of Helena, Mont., daughters and son-in-law, Sarah and Mark Schreiber of Sheridan, Wyo. and Julie Wilkins of Oakdale, Calif.; four grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret Ann and Don Price of Denver, Colo., Mary Alyce and Robert Behrns of Englewood, Colo., twin sister, Kathleen and Larry Peterson of Elkhorn; and sister-in-law, Janice Paasch of Elkhorn.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Lowell Paasch.

Memorials are suggested to the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation or a memorial of the donors choice.