Nema Wintress (Martin) Rowoth

Nema Wintress (Martin) Rowoth, age 102 of Trenton, died peacefully at home with family by her side.  Nema was born January 20, 1919 to Arnel and Josephine (Bethards) Martin on a farm southwest of Altamont, KS.  She was the oldest of three children.  She grew up in this farming community.  Nema was baptized at age 11 at the Baptist Church in Altamont.  She graduated from Labette County High School in 1937.  Nema attended Beauty School in Omaha, NB and worked in a Beauty Shop in Coffeeville, KS.  Also while living in Kansas, Nema attended Business College and worked in a bank in Parson, KS.

When WWII started Nema, her mother, and two sisters went to Wichita, KS to build war planes.  She was one of the many ladies working at Boeing known as “Rosie the Riveter”.  During the war Nema met Alfred.  (Nema went to Trenton to visit relatives and became acquainted with the Rowoth family.)  Alfred and Nema’s love grew and they were married in Wichita, KS, June 23, 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church.

After WWII ended Nema and Alfred settled in Trenton, MO.  They joined the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ Church in December 1946.  They raised one daughter Wintress.

Nema was actively involved in the community.  In 1949 she was a charter member of the Go and Learn Extension Club.  She was recognized by the Missouri Extension Club for her dedication and service to her community through Extension over seven decades.  Nema was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years.  She served as treasurer for the Grundy County American Cancer Society for 20 years.  During her time in Trenton, Nema did work at Reed and Whisler Jewelry and as a teacher’s aide at Rissler Elementary School.  Nema will be remembered as a loving mother, caring neighbor, and overall Christian lady.  She and Alfred enjoyed gardening and sharing their produce with others.  Nema enjoyed cooking, sewing, canning, and reading.

Nema is survived by her daughter Wintress and husband Lane of Pleasant Hill, MO, brother and sister in laws Paul and Joanne Rowoth of Columbia, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alfred, a brother Harley Martin and sisters Ildra Smith and Arlene Hauth.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Honey Creek Chapel Cemetery.  A visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday evening at Slater Neal Funeral Home of Trenton.  Masks and social distancing required.  Open visitation will begin Monday morning at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to the Honey Creek Chapel Cemetery or the First Christian Church and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nema Wintress (Martin) Rowoth, please visit our floral store.