Rowena Shipman August 13, 1927-September 28, 2023 Rowena Shipman, 96, of Gering, formerly of Banner County and Bushnell, died peacefully at the Scottsbluff Regional West Hospital September 28, 2023. Her daughter and her son were at her side.
Rowena, daughter of Joseph and Nellie Nelson of Banner County, was born August 13, 1927. She graduated from the high school in Harrisburg in 1945 as Salutatorian. After graduation, she worked briefly in Kimball and later, taught school in Banner County. In 1946, Rowena married Gail Shipman of Stegall, NE, where the newlyweds lived with Gail's parents. Deciding to try farming, the couple moved to the Lovercheck farm and ranch in Banner County in 1947, where they became sharecroppers. Rowena farmed alongside Gail and because of her bookkeeping and money management skills, the couple were able to increase the acreage they farmed. They put their three children through college with no loans. In 1978, they bought their own farm in Bushnell, NE. They retired from farming and moved to Gering in 1997. Those things that interested Rowena or that she enjoyed were varied. While she lived in Banner County, she wrote the 'Banner County' news column for the Star Herald and she enjoyed emceeing at events at the school in Harrisburg. She also started a women's volleyball team in Harrisburg to bring women together for fun. Once she moved to Gering, going to the Scottsbluff Senior Center became a highlight for her and she played a tough game of pinochle there, teaching others to play. Rowena was preceded in death by her husband, Gail; her son, Robert "Bob;" and her two brothers, Bill and Leonard.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry of Indianapolis; her son, Joe (Bobette) of Elsberry, MO; daughter-in-law, Judy Shipman (Bob) of Estes Park, CO; and her six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held November 4, at 1 p.m., at the Dugan Kramer Funeral Home in Scottsbluff. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the Banner County Museum.
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