Janelle Morgan Rominger, 82, passed away at her home in Tecumseh, Oklahoma on April 9, from complications from a broken hip. Janelle was born on Feb. 5th, 1944, the only daughter after three sons to Virgil and Etta Morgan, a farm and ranch family in rural Rawlins County, KS.
Janelle began piano lessons at age seven, after learning chords from her Uncle Joe Morgan. 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, KS. After a productive year at Bethany, she transferred to Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC 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.
Janelle began her teaching career as the K-12 music teacher in tiny Stratton, NE 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 KS, OK, and TX. 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 North Central Kansas Chorale. In 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 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. On July 14, 1974 Janelle married Dr. Donald Rominger, Jr., a history professor and the head football and track coach at McPherson College. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2024. To this union was born four children: Anne Campbell (Joel) of Abingdon, VA; Robert Rominger, J. D. (Dr. Annie) of Charlotte, NC; Dr. Laura Porter (Dr. Chris) of Des Moines, IA, and Catherine Sauceda (Dr. Jon) of Rochester, NY. 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, TX and Abigail (Mrs. Brad Burgham) of South Pittsburg, TN; and one great-grandson, Efram Burgham.
Janelle was laid to rest at Vista Cemetery in Asher, OK on April 11th, with Mrs. Rominger’s brother, Rev. Kent Morgan officiating. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial on May 9, at First Baptist Church in Shawnee.
