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

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
DiedApril 4, 2026(2026-04-04) (aged 66)
EducationBethany College (BA)
Washburn University (JD)

Education

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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

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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

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State court service

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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

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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

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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

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  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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