Janelle (Morgan) Rominger

Janelle Morgan Rominger, 82, passed away at her home in Tecumseh, Oklahoma on April 9th from complications from a broken hip. Janelle was born on February 5th, 1944, the only daughter after three sons to Vergil and Etta Morgan, a farm and ranch family in rural Rawlins County, Kansas.

Janelle began piano lessons at age seven.  She soon ascended to become the most accomplished pianist in the county with numerous recognitions in state and regional competitions. Following Janelle's junior year at Atwood Community High School, the principal advised Janelle's mom that there was nothing left for her at ACHS. Janelle was already accompanying virtually every school production from middle school onward and was the pianist for her family church in Atwood.

Janelle graduated high school a year early in 1961 and enrolled at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. After a productive year at Bethany, she transferred to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina which was followed by another year and a half at North Texas State University, where in 1966 she earned her degree in piano. This was followed in 1967 by a master's degree in music at Wichita State University, followed by further graduate education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Colorado. She capped her postgraduate education in the summer of 1972 at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria at which she earned two certificates in piano at the advanced level.

Janelle began her teaching career as the K-12 music teacher in tiny Stratton, Nebraska in 1967, was Professor of Music at Friends Bible College in 1969-70, and then Assistant Professor of piano from 1970 to 1977 at McPherson College. Janelle was a church pianist in McPherson, Kansas, Chickasha, Oklahoma, Marshall, Texas and Salina, Kansas. She also served as an Adjunct Professor of piano at East Texas Baptist University, Kansas Wesleyan University and Randall University. Janelle was the staff accompanist for many years at Salina South High School and Salina South Middle School, as well as the accompanist for the Salina Chorale.

In August 1974 Janelle was the guest soloist performing a piano concerto for the McPherson Symphony Orchestra. She was also a life member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a national honorary music fraternity.

Janelle was also known for her baking skills.  Her early years of marriage included almost daily dinner rolls, and her expertise was recognized with a cash prize in a cake baking contest sponsored in 1978 by the McPherson Sentinel Newspaper.  She carried her culinary skills to Texas, where her annual distribution of Chocolate Yule Logs and succulent Cream Cheese Braid, hand carried to members of Don's ETBU staff, were an anticipated holiday tradition.  And hardly a week went by that her family enjoyed her fresh hot Cinnamon rolls before Sunday School

Janelle gave her life to Christ at the age of 8 at the Radio Bible League and was a devoted Christian for the remainder of her life. At the time of her passing, Janelle was a member of Heritage First Church of Shawnee, where she was member of the choir, and an occasional soloist.

On July 14th, 1974, Janelle married Dr. Donald Rominger, Jr., a history professor and the head football and track coach at McPherson College. Don and Janelle celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 14th, 2024. To this union was born four children: Anne Campbell of Abingdon, Virginia; Robert Rominger, (Dr. Annie) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Laura Porter (Chris) of Des Moines, Iowa; and Catherine Sauceda (Jon) of Rochester, New York. Janelle reared a stepdaughter Leslie (Mrs. Steven Bell).  She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, Benjamin and Abram Campbell; Elle, Molly and Kate Rominger; Leander (Leo), Gideon and August (Gus) Porter; and Esther, Caroline, Winnie and Jonathon Javier Sauceda, Jr.; two step grandchildren, Travis Bell of Kemp Texas and Abigail (Mrs. Brad Burgham) of South Pittsburg, Tennessee; and one great-grandson, Ephraim Burgham.

Janelle was laid to rest at Vista Cemetery near Asher, Oklahoma on April 11th, with Mrs. Rominger's brother, Rev. Kent Morgan officiating. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial at 1:30 P.M. on Saturday, May 9th, at Heritage First Church at 9th and Union Street in Shawnee.