Helen Rowan

Funeral services for Helen Rowan were held on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD, with Mike Sheehan officiating. Music was provided by Sierra Swan, and Karla Zick, Dulcie Swan, and Erica Klein were in charge of flowers. Casket bearers were Ashley Swan, Abby Swan, Amber Swan, Greyson Swan, Sierra Swan, Jaden Swan, Emerson Swan, Shalee Klein, Andy Rowan, and Ray Rowan. Honorary casket bearers were all of Helen’s family and friends. Burial was in the Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Helen Marie Rowan was born February 1, 1928 to William and Pauline (Leibel) Birkel on a farm near Burke, SD.

Helen was the last surviving sibling from this union. She attended Gregory High School and graduated in 1945. Following graduation she worked at a local café. One night, at a dance in Burton, NE, she met Robert “Bob” Rowan. He was drafted into the Army in 1950 and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. During his time there, they were united in marriage on January 25, 1951, at Junction City, Kansas. They returned to the family homestead in 1952 and began farming and ranching with his family. They were blessed with two children: Steve Loy and Sandra Kay.

During her lifetime, she enjoyed ranching, gardening, cooking, playing cards, and Carlock dances. Most of all, she had a great love for her family and friends, and watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild grow up. She took pleasure in the little things in life and touched the lives of everyone she met.

She died March 14, 2023, at the Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, SD, at the age of 95 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Gregory) Swan of Mills, NE, and their children: Christopher (Janna) Swan of North Platte, NE; Wade (Dulcie) Swan of Herrick, SD; and Erica (Calvin) Klein of Mills, NE; daughter-in-law Rita Rowan, wife of late Steve Rowan, and their son Robert (Melissa) Rowan of Valentine, NE; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law JoAnn Birkel; special neighbors Larry and the late Carol Shepperd of Mills, NE; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Robert; her son Steve Rowan; her parents William and Pauline; her brothers: Edward (Mary) Birkel, Leonard Birkel, and Delbert Birkel; her sister Delores (Ralph) Kirsh; in-laws Andrew and Fannie Rowan; two brothers-in-law and their spouses: William J. (Joann) Rowan and Andrew F. Rowan, Jr. (Lois); two sisters-in-law and their spouses: Agnes (Russ) Graesser and Margrierite (Ralph) Hulit; and an infant sister.