Helen Marie Rowan was born February 1, 1928 to William and Pauline (Leibel) Birkel on a farm near Burke, South Dakota.  She died March 14, 2023 at the Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 95 years.

Helen was the last surviving sibling of 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, Nebraska she met the love of her life, 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,

Grateful for having shared her life are 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; Rita Rowan, wife of the late Steve Rowan and their son Robert (Melissa) Rowan of Valentine, NE; 10 great-grandchildren; a 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 and her 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.

Funeral services for Helen Rowan, age 95, of Mills, NE will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.   Burial will be in the Olive Branch Cemetery in Mills, NE.  There will be a Visitation on Sunday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home.