Aretta Patricia Nowlin, 79, of Iola, Kansas, died Friday, December 9, 2011, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola. Aretta was born January 24, 1932, at Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Haffey) O'Mara. She moved with her family to a farm near Colony, Kansas. She became a registered nurse. On June 30, 1953, Aretta married Gilbert Nowlin and they made their home in Texas where she worked as a registered nurse. He preceded her in death on January 17, 2001. Aretta moved to Iola to live near family a year ago. SURVIVORS: 1 Son: Steve Nowlin of Converse, Texas 2 Daughters: Patricia McGowan of Westphalia, Kansas and Kathy Honea of Gatesville, Texas 1 Brother: John O'Mara of Iola, Kansas A number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, John Nowlin. Graveside Services will be Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at Post Oak Cemetery at Oglesby, Texas. Visitation will be Tuesday morning at Scott's Funeral Home at Gatesville, Texas. Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.