WILMA C. ROUSSEAU

WILMA ROUSSEAU Obituary

WILMA C. ROUSSEAU, 92, of Fort Wayne, died on Friday, July 16, 2010, at Coventry Meadows. Born Sept. 8, 1917, in South Whitley, she was the daughter of Ward Lane and Melinda Brandenburg Combs. She was a woman of valor throughout her life, making a difference in her world by touching many people with loving kindness. Through her actions, she brought light to the dreams of all that knew her. For her family, she personified the word love by giving herself completely and unconditionally to support their efforts and desires. She generously gave of her time and talents to assure that her children would feel the depth of her love and support throughout their lives. For the children who knew her, she leaves the legacy of gently guiding them with her kindly teaching. As a leader for many youth groups, including Cub Scouts, Brownies, and 4-H, she taught by loving example and helped many children to achieve their goals. For her church community, she gave freely of her time and talents stretching her hands out to the needy. As a founding member of the Anthony Wayne First Church of God, she inspired many to a life of giving and thoughtfulness. She changed her world by bringing light to all who knew her, making her community a better place for all. Her high school motto "Rowing not Drifting," was maintained throughout her life and she encouraged those she loved to embrace this value. The family thanks the staff of Covington Commons, Coventry Meadows and Visiting Nurses & Hospice for their care. Surviving are one son, Mark O. (Marion Pruss) Rousseau PhD. - Omaha, Neb.; two daughters, Elaine W. Rousseau, PhD of Tuscon, Ariz. and Joyce (Tom) Clancy of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren, Mark O. (Marianne) Rousseau II of Little Silver, N.J., Christine (Bill) Kotula of Woodstock, Ga., Erin ( Ron ) Hull of Indianapolis, Scott (Rachel) Clancy of Chicago, and Ellen Clancy of Bloomington; nine great-grandchildren, Mark O. Rousseau III, Alex Rousseau, Eric Rousseau, Julia Rousseau, Elizabeth Kotula, Jaclyn Simone Dilg, Andrew Kotula, Hayden Hull, and Zachery Clancy; and one sister, Lois Bower of Denver, Colo. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Richard J. Rousseau. Service is 11 a.m. Wednesday at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funereal Home, 420 W. Wayne St., with Pastor Jerry Blanchard officiating. Visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wilma's memory to a charity of the donor's choice.

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Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Jul. 18, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for WILMA ROUSSEAU

2 Entries

Rene Townsend

July 21, 2010

After my husband had renal failure, we had to sell our home and a lot of our possessions. As we looked for a place to rent we felt that we would never find a place that we would call home again. Then one day as we left our church, Anthony Wayne Church, we went down South Bend Dr. to go out to U.S. 24, There was a sign in the yard that the house was for rent. We stopped immediately and called the number from the driveway of the house. We made an appointment to see the house and the minute we stepped into the house, 6402 South Bend Dr., we felt that this was a place we could call home.
I had lived on South Bend Dr., 3 blocks down from your house, growing up as a child until after graduation so I was already in love with the neighborhood.

Your childhood home was a home where we got strength from, peace from, hope from and healing. While staying there, my husband had to have dialysis three times a week but he got stronger and made it on the transplant list after a couple of years. We had family get togethers often at the house and everyone would comment what a great house it was. Your father built that house uniquely and very smart. House built back then didn't have the large closets that your father had built. The woodwork was still rich and warm that he had for flooring in the dining room and the baseboards and doors. We loved to see his notes written on the basement wall or out in the garages of when he would flush out the water lines or how many gallons of paint was used on the house and when and how many hours it took! The only complaint we had was the second floor eves being so low. Especially when our son (6ft 5inch son) and his wife moved in with us and took over the upstairs for a year while they saved money for their own home. I loved working outside in the yard planting flowers and bushes and trimming the existing trees and bushes. I loved walking the grounds and (before they started building the apartments) the land around it. We had asked the landlords if we could even purchase the home but they had other plans for the property and wouldn't even consider it. We were priviledged to live in your childhood home and brought your mother over a couple of times. I loved the stories she told of the home. Then the older ladies across the street Gertrude and her sister, that had always lived in the brick house from childhood on to the present, told me stories about the house and your father building it and the animals your parents had at different times of their life.

After living there for 4 years we had to leave because my husband had gotten a job in South Bend, IN and it was a 2 hour trip one way,so too long to drive daily. We were both sad to leave and say our goodbyes to the home. Your Mom was unique like the home and I was blessed to know each of them!! I will miss both of them very much. Signed Rene' Townsend

Kate Garner

July 20, 2010

Elaine, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. You are fortunate to have had such a special person in your life. Love, Kate Garner

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