Connie Nowlan

Connie Darlene Wells Nowlan was born August 12, 1938, the first child of Howard and
Marjorie Wells. She was raised on a Hereford cattle ranch in Sioux County, Nebraska.
Connie always enjoyed her pets, particularly cats and kittens. Because she was a
cautious child she tested her environment by making her little sister Beth touch gross
bugs to see if they were dangerous. She also enjoyed teasing her brother Duane with
the threat of coyote-kidnapping.
At age 14, Connie went to boarding school at Platte Valley Academy, Shelton,
Nebraska, where Beth joined her the following year. From that time onward they were
roommates until she graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1960.
Because she loved people and connecting with those around her she chose a career in
teaching and graduated in 1960 with a B.A. in English.
After graduation she immediately began teaching at Enterprise Adventist Academy,
Enterprise, Kansas, where she served as dean of women, taught English, and became
a mentor to many young students. Later while working at Shenandoah Valley Academy,
New Market, Virginia, she became engaged to Gary Nowlan.
After marrying Gary in 1964, Connie continued teaching and mentoring at Boulder
Junior Academy, Boulder, Colorado. In 1969 her own oldest child, Shawn P., was born,
followed by Terence (Terry) D. in 1970 and Erin Beth in 1979.
While raising her own three children, Connie continued teaching and mentoring through
in-home daycare, and later at Boulder Junior Academy Preschool, where she served as
head teacher and then director, until her retirement.
Connie was a published writer, specializing in children’s Christian spirituality. Her works
include major contributions to a collaborative worship book for children, Living and
Learning: Worship Stories for Young Children in 1980. Two years later she authored a
children’s biography of Michael B. Czechowski, The Man Who Wouldn't Listen, the story
of the first person to take the Seventh-day Adventist Christian message to Europe. One
of the most memorable of quite a few published short essays is an article in 1978,
“When Mountains Don’t Move”, the story of her experiences and spiritual challenges as
the mother of a severely disabled child.
After her retirement, two of the greatest joys of her life were welcoming Son-in-Law Ed
to the family on July 12, 2003 and welcoming her grandson Truman on October 29,
2009. Connie remained at home with loving husband and family until her death on
December 6, 2014.
We remember Connie for her outstanding sense of humor, amazing imagination, and
story-telling ability. Connie loved connecting with and understanding children of all
ages; she helped them become outstanding sons and daughters. Children who came
in contact with Connie knew that she loved them. Being around Connie was a splendid
adventure and for that her family and friends will remember her with love.
Connie is survived by her husband; children, Shawn Nowlan, Terence (Terry) D. Nowlan and Erin Beth (Nowlan) Fox (Edward); grandson, Truman Nowlan Fox; and sister, Beth M. (Wells) Carlson. Connie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Duane Wells; and brother-in-law, James Carlson.