Nona Rose Berghaus

Nona Berghaus, beloved Emporia State University Professor and a proud lifelong Kansan, passed away Sunday April 13, 2025 at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor. She was 93 years old.

Nona grew up on a farm near the town of Plains in Western Kansas instilling her with a passion for hard work, lifelong learning and helping others. After leaving the farm she received her Undergraduate Degree in Education from Marymount College of Kansas in 1953, a Masters Degree in Education from Emporia State in 1956 and her Doctorate in Business Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1966. After earning her doctorate Nona joined the School of Business faculty at Emporia State University, as the first female doctorial professor, where she remained on staff for more than 40 years. Nona summed up her passion for teaching, "I enjoy people, and teaching is a challenge. By the time you learn something new it changes."

During her career, Nona served as President of the Kansas Business Education Association, The Mountain-Plains Business Education Association, and the Emporia Area Retired Teachers Association. She was editor of The Kansas Business Teacher for more than 10 years; author of two textbooks and published numerous professional articles.

Beyond being a dedicated educator, Nona was committed to family, friends, community and students. No matter how busy, she made time for words of encouragement, honest advice and a genuine interest in your wellbeing. Nona had a unique way of bringing out the best in others no matter how brief the encounter.

To her family, Nona will always be remembered as an amazing role model, for the hours of laughter playing cards and board games and the person they could depend on when times get tough.

In her later years, Nona moved to the Emporia Presbyterian Manor where she remained active leading daily exercise classes, organizing monthly community events, writing stories for the community newsletter and helping with fundraising efforts.

Nona was proceeded in death by her parents, Rose and John "Ben" Berghaus, her brother Dan Berghaus and sister JoAnn Miller. She is survived by her nieces Mary Berghaus and Helen Lucas, and nephews Greg Miller and Brad Miller.

A memorial service will be hosted at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025 at Didde Catholic Campus Center with a rosary on Saturday June 7, at 9:30 a.m. at Didde Catholic Campus Center. Final interment at Graceland Cemetery, Meade, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Nona Berghaus Endowed Scholarship Fund at Emporia State University in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.