Evelyn Wilson

Evelyn Wilson
Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court
In office
January 24, 2020 – July 4, 2025
Appointed byLaura Kelly
Preceded byLee A. Johnson
Succeeded byLarkin Walsh
Personal details
Born(1959-12-06)December 6, 1959
Smith Center, Kansas, U.S.
DiedApril 4, 2026(2026-04-04) (aged 66)
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
EducationBethany College (BA)
Washburn University (JD)

Evelyn Zabel Wilson[1] (December 6, 1959 – April 4, 2026) was an American judge who served as a justice of the Kansas Supreme Court.

Education

Wilson graduated from Bethany College in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in business and from Washburn University School of Law in 1985.[2]

Career

Wilson practiced law for 19 years in private practice.[3] Her experience included time as a managing partner, and time as an adjunct professor at Washburn University School of Law.[2]

Judicial career

State court service

Wilson served Shawnee County as a District Judge from 2004 until her appointment as Chief Judge in 2014.[4][2] She was reappointed Chief Judge in 2017.[5]

Kansas Supreme Court

Wilson was one of 17 applicants to apply for the position.[6] On October 19, 2019, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission submitted Wilson's name, along with two others to the Governor.[7] On December 16, 2019, Governor Laura Kelly appointed Wilson to the seat on the Kansas Supreme Court vacated by the retirement of Lee A. Johnson on September 8, 2019.[2] She was sworn in on January 24, 2020.[8] She resigned on July 4, 2025.[9]

Personal life and death

A native Kansan, Wilson was born in Smith Center, Kansas, on December 6, 1959.[2][10] Wilson and her husband, Mike, were members of First Lutheran Church in Topeka, where she also served as a Stephen Minister.[4]

Wilson was diagnosed with ALS at some point prior to her resignation from the Kansas Supreme Court in 2025.[9] She died of complications from this illness in Topeka on April 4, 2026, at the age of 66.[11][12][13]

References

  1. ↑ "Evelyn Zabel Wilson Judge Profile on Martindale.com". www.martindale.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Governor appoints Judge Evelyn Z. Wilson to fill vacancy on the Supreme Court of Kansas" (Press release). December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Chief Judge Evelyn Z. Wilson". www.shawneecourt.org. Third Judicial District, KS - Official Website. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Kansas Supreme Court names Wilson as Chief Judge of Third Judicial District". The Topeka Capital-Journal. October 2, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  5. ↑ Moore, Katie (November 3, 2017). "Judge Evelyn Wilson reappointed as Shawnee County District Court's chief judge". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  6. ↑ Molina III, Joseph N. (November 19, 2019). "Supreme Court Applicants' Names Released - Kansas Bar Association". www.ksbar.org. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Supreme Court Nominating Commission sends names of nominees to governor" (PDF). Office of Judicial Administration. Kansas Courts News Release. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  8. ↑ Hon Evelyn Z Wilson Swearing In Ceremony (YouTube video). January 24, 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Letter of resignation - Evelyn Zabel Wilson" (PDF). Kansas Supreme Couty.
  10. ↑ The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, Incorporated. 1999.
  11. ↑ Former Kansas Supreme Court justice dies
  12. ↑ Carter, Aja (5 April 2026). "Former Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson dies after ALS battle, flags to be flown half-staff". WIBW-TV. Archived from the original on 6 April 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Evelyn Zabel Wilson". Dove Cremations & Funerals. Archived from the original on 7 April 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
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