Erika Marie Downing, 52, passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado. She passed away from a sudden and severe illness (West Nile Encephalitis).

Erika was the second child of Rhett Alan Downing and Nita Marie Austin, born in Garden City, KS, on March 29, 1973. She was a much-loved child of our stepfather, David M. Finke, whom she called 'Daykee'. Most of Erika's family is from and lived in western Kansas, so she grew up surrounded by her maternal family. Erika graduated from Garden City High School in 1990. She graduated from Newman University in Wichita, KS, where she earned a degree in education.

Erika began her teaching career in Garden City, KS, at Garden City Public Schools, and then taught for a short period at Scott City Public Schools in Scott City, KS. For more than two decades, Erika taught at Kepley Middle School as a science teacher for 7th grade. She was the scholars bowl coach for both the middle school and high school for fifteen years. For the last five years, she was the scholars bowl coach for high school only. Erika's impact as a teacher, staff member, and friend will be felt for years in the Ulysses Public Schools and the Ulysses, KS, community.

Erika is survived by her father Rhett Alan Downing, brother, Austin Michael Finke, sister 'Marni' Lynda Marquette Downing, nephew David Madison Finke, niece Heidi Lousie Finke, aunt and uncle Mike and Nancy (Austin) Schiffelbein, cousins Roger Nolte, Bill (Marilynn) Nolte, Jerre (Jalynn) Nolte, Beth (Joe) Reeder, Shannon Winn, Jennifer (Ryan) Seals, Cory (Mary Ellen) Swords along with many second cousins and many Ulysses friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nita Marie Austin; stepfather, David Michael Finke; aunts and uncles, Fred and Norma (Magie) Nolte, R. Dean and Norma (Williams) Nolte; grandparents E. Maurice and Allene (Bolin) Downing; and grandmother, N. Mabel (Ensign) Austin.

The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church of Ulysses, Kansas. A lunch will follow for close friends and family. Burial will follow at Healy Cemetery, Healy, Kansas, with close friends and family to attend.

Memorial has been established for First United Methodist Church, Ulysses, Kansas in care of First United Methodist Church, 321 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, Kansas 67880.