Erika Joy Rowan

Funeral Services for Erika Joy Rowan will be conducted from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, Nebraska on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Michael Gruhn, officiating. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.

Erika Joy Rowan, 16 years of age, of Cozad, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, February 25, 2008 near Cozad as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Erika was born September 23, 1991 at Lexington, the daughter of Erik and Jackie (Debban) Rowan. She was baptized on November 17, 1991 and confirmed on April 30, 2006 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington. She received her primary education at Bryan Elementary School in Lexington and then continued her education at Cozad Public Schools, where she was currently a sophomore at Cozad High School. Erika was very involved in activities at school, loved Cozad Haymaker Football, lettered in Pep Club and enjoyed cruising with her friends. As her mother was quoted describing Erika, "She was our high maintenance drama queen with the most beautiful soul." Her personality will never be forgotten, Erika had an uncanny way of meeting people and having them wrapped around her little finger in a very short time. Downloading music and spending time with her family and friends was the highlight of her life. Her overwhelming infectious laugh will always be remembered.

Erika was vocal about her faith in the Lord. She recently spent the previous weekend at "Dare 2 Share" in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she joined 7000 other high school students reaffirming and vowing to share their faith in Jesus. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington her entire life. Her commitment to her friends and family was pure devotion and her honesty was a strong characteristic.

She leaves to mourn her passing her parents: Erik and Jackie Rowan of Cozad; brother, Joshua Rowan of Kearney, Nebraska; grandparents: Esther Debban of Lexington, Maynard Rowan of Lexington and Brenda Smith of Ft. Pierce, Florida; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Alan J. Debban.

Erika will lie in state at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad, Nebraska on Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.