Artha Jean Towell

Artha Jean Towell, 93, a beloved member of the Madison community, passed away on Sunday, April 20th, 2025.

Born in Chicago on August 31st, 1931, to Arthur and Jean Petrie (McMahon). In her youth, Artha Jean modeled for Marshall Fields and spent many summers in Madison with her grandparents. She eventually returned to Madison to attend the UW School of Human Ecology and was a proud Chi Omega. At the UW she met her husband, and love of her life, Thomas Towell. The two married on June 24th, 1953.

The Towells moved to Augusta, Georgia, where Thomas was stationed at Fort Gordon. This is where Artha Jean began her career teaching chemistry, home economics, and biology. They eventually returned to Madison to start their family, and Artha Jean quickly immersed herself in civic duties.

She served as president of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and was an active member of the UW-Madison Athletic Board. She and her husband loved attending UW sporting events - they were lifelong Badgers. Artha Jean was also a board member of Madison’s Attic Angel Association and the Visiting Nurse Service. Through her association with the Southern Wisconsin Health Planning Council, she was appointed to the Governor’s Health Policy Council. She was a Human Ecology 100 Women honoree and a recipient of the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Though very accomplished within the community, her proudest titles included mother, grandmother (“Ahma”), and great-grandmother. She is survived by her three children, Jean (Erwin) Gebhard, William (Elizabeth) Towell, and Mary (Michael) Grant, and five adoring grandchildren, Tom Gebhard (Julie Strand), Ian (Nichole) Towell, Emily (Michael) White, Sean Gebhard (Gabriella Kitch), and Brayden Grant. She is also survived by her great-granddaughter, Maeve White, with whom she had a very special bond.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, and two infant grandsons.

At her request, there will be a private family service. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nursing staff at Home Again and Agrace Hospice Care.

Memorials may be made to the University of Wisconsin-Madison American Family Children's Hospital.

Please share your memories of Artha Jean by writing on her tribute wall.

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