Rowean Artia Nelson

Rowean Artia (Womochil) Nelson, 95, of Emporia, died Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Flint Hills Care and Rehab Center in Emporia.

Rowean was born April 21, 1929, in Abilene, Kansas, the daughter of Roy and Vivian (Sleichter) Womochil. She graduated from Abilene High School, attended Kansas State Teachers College, and taught first grade for several years in Admire and Talmage.

Rowean married Orval Nelson on May 30, 1954, in Abilene, Kansas, and they celebrated 61 happy years of marriage. After their marriage, she stayed busy helping him on the farm and raising their four children. She was active as a 4-H parent and as a member of the First Baptist Church in Emporia.

She worked as the secretary/office manager at Farm Bureau Insurance for many years. After retiring from Farm Bureau, she and Orval began traveling to many sites all over the United States. However, one of their most admirable accomplishments was visiting all 105 county courthouses in the state of Kansas.

Rowean is survived by sons Kevin (NyCole) Nelson of Tribune, Kansas, Greg (Mary) Nelson of Spring Hill, Kansas, and Curtis Nelson of Emporia; a daughter, Vicki (John) Wind of Kansas City, Missouri; a brother, Sheldon “Pete” Womochil of Carefree, Arizona; and five grandchildren, Grant Nelson, Erica Wind, McKayla Nelson, Kashen Nelson and Brecken Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Orval, her parents, and a brother, Royal “Buzz” Womochil.

The family will receive friends at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Emporia. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 7, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Emporia. Pastor Rob Clausen of the church will be officiating. Inurnment to follow in Maplewood/Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church or Emporia Friends of the Zoo and sent in care of the First Baptist Church, 807 Constitution Street, Emporia, KS 66801.