Wauneta B. McGowan, 96, of Grand Island, NE died Sunday, December 27, 2020, at Primrose Retirement Community, in Grand Island, NE. Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, January 2, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Rev. James R. Golka will be the celebrant. A Catholic Daughters Rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. The funeral mass will be livestreamed on St. Mary's Cathedral Facebook page. Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, January 1, 2021, from 4 – 6 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral with a vigil service at 6 p.m. CDC recommended guidelines will be followed and masks are required at both the visitation and funeral mass. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Wauneta's obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Wauneta was born March 4, 1924, in Scotia, NE. She was the daughter of John J. "Jack" and Catherine (Halpin) Burns. She grew up in Scotia graduating from Scotia High School in 1942. Wauneta began working as a receptionist/bookkeeper at Dr. Smaha's Dentist office. She married Paul J. McGowan on October 7, 1946, in Grand Island, NE. The couple lived in San Francisco and Omaha before settling in Grand Island. Wauneta worked as a directory assistant for Bell Telephone, later working for St. Francis Medical Center as a reception operator retiring in 1999, after 15 years. Throughout her working career Wauneta sold Avon where she was a three-time member of the President's Club. Paul died November 23, 1987. Family and faith were extremely important to Wauneta. She cherished her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was always quick to share their accomplishments and enjoyed watching them participate in school and sporting activities. She revered her faith and was active at St. Mary's Cathedral. She was a board member of its Altar Society. She volunteered on St. Mary's Rosary Chain and Bible Study, as well as GICC's Karnival Kapers. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of Americas Court Ave Maria #1263, serving on its board as well. She enjoyed playing Bridge and loved to travel. Wauneta will be missed by her loving family James P. (Janell) McGowan of Puyallup, WA Larry J. (Barbara) McGowan of Schuyler, NE John T. McGowan of Denver, CO Mark E. (Kim) McGowan of Grand Island, NE Steve P. McGowan of Windom, MN Matthew C. (Jennifer) McGowan of Iowa City, IA Sr. Carlene Headrick of Grand Island, NE Son-in-law, Matt Redman of Kearney, NE Sister, Rita Wagner of Scottsbluff, NE Brothers-in-law and sisters- in-law, Jim O'Connor of Greeley, NE Donn (Dorothy) Mattea of Papillon, NE Kay McGowan, Ramona McGowan, and Dee McGowan all of Grand Island, NE Others left to cherish her memory include her 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Wauneta was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Paul, daughters, Sr. Mary Margaret McGowan, Mary Kathleen Redman, great grandson Wade Redman, brother James (Ira) Burns, and sister, Catherine (Pat) O'Connor. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Mary's Cathedral or Grand Island Central Catholic.